Community – Page 2 – River City Bank

October 16, 2020

Natomas Oaks Park to be Renamed the Ray and Judy Tretheway Oak Preserve

Ray Tretheway standing next to a newly planted tree

The Sacramento City Council unanimously resolved to rename the Natomas Oaks Park at 2230 River Plaza Drive as the Ray and Judy Tretheway Oak Preserve.

Ray, Judy, and their community successfully advocated for the City of Sacramento to acquire this oak grove and adjacent land to be designated as a nature preserve. The oak preserve is nearly all that is left of the magnificent groves that existed here in the 1800s. Centuries ago, this small patch of land was part of thousands of acres of other oaks. These oaks were here when the first settlers arrived in California. The grove’s historical significance is protected because of the Tretheways’ and the community’s quick action to maintain the picturesque area.

Naming this park after Ray and Judy is particularly significant given their special connection to this heritage oak grove. Located near Ray and Judy’s home, their daughter was married under its magnificent trees in 2005. Ray visits the park regularly, and Judy leads silent meditation retreats and forest bathing, or shinrin yoku, underneath the trees’ canopy.

This December, Ray will retire as Executive Director at the Sacramento Tree Foundation after nearly four decades of service. Under his stewardship, the Foundation has planted over one million trees, giving Sacramento the well-earned title of the largest hand-planted urban forest in the world. Ray’s deep love for the area’s trees and his devotion to safeguarding their existence is the cornerstone of the Foundation’s legacy.

As a testament to the Tretheways’ commitment to Sacramento’s urban forest, the community, and the environment, the City will be installing two naming signs and a plaque in honor of Ray and Judy. Later this year, the Foundation will also announce Ray’s successor and celebrate Ray’s lifetime of public service to the Sacramento Region.

To learn more about the Sacramento Tree Foundation or to make a donation in Ray’s name, visit their website at sactree.com.

September 22, 2020

Kelly Foundation announces Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento as 2021 Major Gift Award winner

$100,000 grant to support new Cornerstone community in South Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Kelly Foundation has announced Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento as the recipient of its 2021 Major Gift Award. The $100,000 grant will be used to support the first phase of construction for Cornerstone Development in South Sacramento. Cornerstone Development is a collaboration between Habitat and Mutual Housing California and will feature 18 single-family homes positioned as equity-building home ownership opportunities for low-income families, along with 108 affordable rental apartment units for low-income individuals, including some who were formerly unhoused.

“Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento is respected throughout the community for providing families with home ownership opportunities that may be otherwise out of reach,” said Shawn Kelly Devlin, President of the Kelly Foundation and Chairman of the Board of River City Bank. “The Kelly Foundation is excited to partner on this ambitious project, which will benefit dozens of deserving people over the course of the next several years.”

“The Kelly Foundation Major Gift award represents a huge leap forward for the Cornerstone Development project,” said Laine Himmelmann, Chief Development Officer of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento. “Our team was excited to the point of tears when we learned that the Kelly Foundation had decided to contribute $100,000 to the project because most home sponsorships fall within the $5,000-$10,000 range.”

During the next three years, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento plans to engage more than six thousand volunteers in the multi-phase construction effort. The team is looking to raise at least $300,000 for the first phase of construction for Cornerstone Development, which includes three homes that are projected to be move-in ready by early 2023. The Kelly Foundation grant constitutes one-third of that amount.

The Kelly Foundation supports health and human services, education, culture, environment and civic improvement through its funding. For the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2022, the Foundation will provide approximately $1.5 million in grants to organizations that support the Sacramento and North Bay Area regions. Since merging with the RCB Foundation in 2009, the Kelly Foundation, of which River City Bank remains a major contributor, focuses on giving back to the greater Sacramento region through charitable donations.

For more information about the Kelly Foundation, please visit KellyFoundationSacramento.org.

Cornerstone Development Details

Cornerstone Development, was just named “2021 Affordable Housing Development of the Year” by the Sacramento Housing Alliance. It is also the largest single development in 36 years for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento. Groundbreaking is scheduled for February 2022, with the first phase of construction set to begin in June 2022. The seven-acre project site is located near the intersection of 46^th Street and Lang Avenue and is planned to house approximately 400 people once construction is completed. The development will be fully electric, and each of the 18 single-family Habitat homes will include solar panels on the roof and be EV-ready for charging electric vehicles.

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento, including opportunities for volunteer participation, visit HabitatGreaterSac.org.

Click image to view a 2:51 video rendering of Cornerstone Development:

About the Kelly Foundation

The Kelly Broadcasting Company’s KCRA-TV (Sacramento-Stockton-Modest, CA) went on the air on Sept. 5, 1955, and the owners of the Kelly Broadcasting Company established the Kelly Foundation in December 1988 as a formal vehicle for structuring charitable contributions. The Kelly family sold KCRA-TV in 1999 and have continued the Kelly Foundation ever since. In 2009, the River City Bank Foundation merged with the Kelly Foundation, and some executives of the Bank currently serve on the Foundation’s Board. Jon S. Kelly founded River City Bank and continues to support the Bank. His daughter, Shawn Kelly Devlin, currently serves as President and Chairman of the Board. The Kelly Foundation is an expression of the importance the Kelly family places on being a good neighbor and citizen in regions where they do business. For more information on the Kelly Foundation, please visit KellyFoundationSacramento.org or call (916) 978-4892.

April 16, 2020

Kelly Foundation assists local food banks with $220,000 in total grant awards

Individual grant awards presented to five food banks including Sacramento Food Bank and Meals on Wheels of Alameda County

SACRAMENTO, CA – In response to the global coronavirus crisis, the Kelly Foundation awarded a total of five individual grants to Northern California food banks in Sacramento, Yolo, Alameda and Sonoma counties. The grant monies, representing $220,000 in total donations, will be used to secure and refrigerate food supplies, support community deliveries, and pay workers. Recipient organizations include Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, Yolo Food Bank, Redwood Empire Food Bank, Alameda County Community Food Bank and Meals on Wheels of Alameda County, the latter of which serves food primarily to housebound elders who are among those at greatest risk from COVID-19.

“Access to food is a fundamental right, and the Kelly Foundation is pleased to support families throughout Northern California by awarding grants to five regional food banks serving some of the most at-risk populations,” said Shawn Kelly Devlin, President of the Kelly Foundation and Chairman of the Board of River City Bank. “As demand for these essential services continues to surge, it is imperative that we equip our food banks to meet needs and help our communities rise to the multitude of challenges presented by COVID-19 without sacrificing health and wellness.”

“COVID-19 has stressed our organization like never before, and we are sincerely grateful for this important funding from the Kelly Foundation,” said Melanie Flood, Director of Development and Communications for Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. “Demand has skyrocketed, and we are seeing people in need who have never asked for assistance from a food program before. This funding will help us continue to purchase food, invest in supplies and equipment to keep pace with demand, and provide vital services while also planning for the next 60 to 90 days.”

“The Redwood Empire Food Bank normally serves 82,000 people per year, and we are projected to serve twice that number because of the COVID-19 crisis,” said David Goodman, CEO of Redwood Empire Food Bank. “This contribution will help us purchase and refrigerate food, pay our dedicated staff and fuel our trucks to make deliveries across Sonoma County. Ultimately, it will keep food on the table for thousands of people who need it.”

“Human lives literally will be saved because we received critical funding to ensure food access to vulnerable people,” said Joy Cohan, Director of Philanthropic Engagement at Yolo Food Bank. “The Kelly Foundation’s generosity will provide more than 10 days of nourishment for the more than 35,000 people experiencing hunger in Yolo County.”

In evaluating the needs of communities throughout its organizational and geographic footprint, the Kelly Foundation prioritized providers and allocated funds according to the total number of people and families served, as well as the urgency of the need. Sacramento Food Bank and Yolo Food Bank each received a grant in the amount of $75,000; Redwood Empire Food Bank received a $25,000 grant, Alameda Food Bank received $12,500 and Meals on Wheels of Alameda County was awarded a grant of $32,500.

The Kelly Foundation supports health and human services, education, culture, environment and civic improvement through its funding. Each year, the Foundation provides approximately $500,000 in grants to organizations that support the Sacramento and North Bay Area regions. Since merging with the RCB Foundation in 2009, the Kelly Foundation, of which River City Bank remains a major contributor, focuses on giving back to the greater Sacramento region through charitable donations.

For more information about the Kelly Foundation, please visit KellyFoundationSacramento.org.

About the Kelly Foundation

October 2, 2019

River City Bank and its employees donate more than $11,800 to Sacramento Tree Foundation

Funds will aid in expanding urban canopy to under-resourced local neighborhoods

SACRAMENTO, CA – River City Bank, Sacramento’s premier business bank, showed its support for public health and community improvements by presenting a donation check in the amount of $11,894 to the Sacramento Tree Foundation. The donation will be used to bolster the expansion of the foundation’s NeighborWoods Program, which seeks to plant approximately one million trees in under-resourced and under-canopied neighborhoods throughout the six-county Sacramento region. Funds may also be directed toward the organization’s innovative certification program, which aims to ensure that tree canopy considerations are incorporated into all new building developments.

“As one of Sacramento’s longstanding community-based businesses, River City Bank is dedicated to seeing our region grow and prosper, and that includes supporting organizations that provide solutions for enhancing quality of life and providing personal health benefits within our neighborhoods,” said Steve Fleming, President and CEO of River City Bank. “Sacramento Tree Foundation is responsible for significant improvements in our local communities, particularly through the planting of more than one million trees in and around Sacramento, and we are pleased to contribute to its future success.”

“The presence of a healthy and vibrant urban canopy provides tangible benefits to the community, including longer life spans and stronger school and professional performance,” said Ray Tretheway, Executive Director of Sacramento Tree Foundation. “With support from visionary partners such as River City Bank, we’re able to extend those benefits to six of our region’s most underserved neighborhoods.”

River City Bank presented the donation check to Mr. Tretheway and Dr. Janine Bera, Board President of Sacramento Tree Foundation, during its biennial client appreciation reception, which was held on September 19, 2019. The donation consisted of contributions from River City Bank as a corporate entity, as well as a significant sum provided by the internal fundraising efforts of its employees.

As part of an annual tradition, River City Bank employees initiated a series of fundraising activities to encourage staff to provide donations to Sacramento Tree Foundation as its charity of choice in 2019. Activities included a bake sale, farmer’s market and an event deemed the “Great Banker Bake-Off,” as well as internal competitions between teams in the bank’s various offices and branch locations.

For more information about Sacramento Tree Foundation, visit SacTree.com.

September 10, 2019

Kelly Foundation awards $100,000 grant to MERISTEM, a learning program for young adults with autism

2019 Major Gift to expand theater program and parent education initiative

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Kelly Foundation awarded its 2019 Major Gift of $100,000 to MERISTEM, a non-profit program that uses experiential learning to help young adults on the autism spectrum become more socially and economically independent. The award constituted the Kelly Foundation’s largest single donation of the year and will be used to expand Meristem’s successful theater program, “Speak Up, Speak Out,” which uses improvisational performance techniques to empower students to participate in spontaneous conversation and a variety of social interactions. Funds from the grant will also be dedicated to the development of a series of parent education events, as well as bolstering Meristem’s independent living curriculum, which includes skill-building in financial literacy, cooking, cleaning and other pursuits.

“The Kelly Foundation is pleased to award this year’s Major Gift to Meristem as an investment in the expansion of its promising curriculum, which equips young adults on the autism spectrum with the skills to lead more independent lives,” said Shawn Kelly Devlin, President of the Kelly Foundation and Chairman of the Board of River City Bank. “Meristem has recorded tremendous growth in its first five years of operation, and we look forward to watching more families benefit from the program’s innovative approach to education, training and empowerment.”

“Our staff was in the midst of a training session when we received the call from the Kelly Foundation, and we were over the moon when it became clear that we’d secured the grant,” said Edmund Knighton, President of Meristem. “Our students and their families have always been our top priority, and we’re excited to leverage these funds to expand our parent education and support services, which will keep parents apprised of their student’s progress while also connecting parents with one another in community. We’ll also use some of the grant monies to enhance our improvisational theater program, which helps students develop their spontaneous speaking skills and is our most popular course.”

Knighton says the grant will be used for a variety of building improvements for Meristem’s theater program, including the addition of curtains and backdrops for the stage. Meristem’s staff also intends to bring performer Mickey Rowe, who was the first actor on the autistic spectrum to play an autistic role, back to the school to speak with students and parents about making a living and supporting a family. Rowe was the guest speaker at Meristem’s graduation ceremony in 2019, where he praised the theater program for its incorporation of improvisational techniques and for encouraging students to lead parts of the program. Within the theater program and other areas of the Meristem curricula, students have the opportunity to advance to positions of leadership and mentorship over time, sometimes to the point of leading full segments or even full classes.

The Meristem Method is based upon the principle of “doing to learn” (experiential learning). The five core areas of the curriculum are movement, land work, craftwork, independent living skills, and preparation to work, all accessed by real life experience. Students develop capacities and executive functioning through planning and executing tasks. Students may also apply their training in one of three social enterprises: the Meristem Model Bed and Breakfast, which is the only bed and breakfast in the country operated by young adults on the autism spectrum; the Meristem Herbal Products Company, which provides training in product creation, pricing, sales, packaging and shipping, marketing, website development, ecommerce and business reporting; and the Meristem Café and Bakery, which supplies an assortment of baked goods to the on-campus café and several offsite local businesses.

The Kelly Foundation supports health and human services, education, culture, environment and civic improvement through its funding. Each year, the Foundation provides approximately $400,000 in grants to organizations that support the Sacramento region. Since merging with the RCB Foundation in 2009, the Kelly Foundation, of which River City Bank remains a major contributor, focuses on giving back to the greater Sacramento region through charitable donations.

For more information about the Kelly Foundation, please visit KellyFoundationSacramento.org. For more information about Meristem, visit Meristem.pro.

About the Kelly Foundation

About Meristem

MERISTEM, located outside of Sacramento, helps transition young adults on the autism spectrum to independent living, including college and career success. The Meristem Method uses experiential learning, and all coursework and activities incorporate hands-on, real-world experiences. Learn more at meristem.pro.

July 1, 2019

River City Bank Sponsors EGACT Annual Dinner

River City Bank celebrated alongside the Elk Grove Adult Community Training (EGACT) at their annual dinner. As a proud sponsor of EGACT, members of the RCB Team lent their support to this non-profit organization that provides education and training for adults with developmental disabilities. Proceeds from the event help fulfill EGACT’s mission to ensure equality, dignity, and the fulfillment of rights of all program participants.

As an Elk Grove community stronghold, EGACT has served adults with developmental disabilities since 1972. They currently have program sites located in Elk Grove and Galt.

To learn more about EGACT, visit their website at www.egact.org.

July 1, 2019

RCB Charity of Choice: The Sacramento Tree Foundation

In connection with our biennial Client Appreciation event in September, River City Bank selects one organization as the focus for our charitable fundraising, the Charity of Choice. The Charity of Choice receives a $5,000 donation from the Bank plus proceeds raised by RCB employees through fundraising activities including Jeans Day and bake sales. This year, we are pleased to announce the Sacramento Tree Foundation is the Bank’s Charity of Choice. The Sacramento Tree Foundation is a community benefit organization working to build healthy, livable communities in the Sacramento region by growing the best urban forest in the nation.

Recently, Sacramento Tree Foundation’s Executive Director, Ray Tretheway, stopped by RCB’s Corporate office to give a brief presentation on the foundation and the impact they have on our community. He discussed the organization’s current plans to plant and steward 5 million new trees region-wide. Of which, one million trees are targeted for under-resourced, low tree canopy neighborhoods. For nearly 40 years, the Sacramento Tree Foundation has witnessed and fostered what Tretheway has called, “a community-wide renaissance on how residents see and value trees.” It’s continuing work will be felt for generations to come.

To find out how you can volunteer or learn more about the Sacramento Tree Foundation, visit their website at www.sactree.com.

July 1, 2019

Client Profile: The Sacramento SPCA

With leashes in hand and shoes laced up, River City Bank joined the Sacramento SPCA at their 2019 Doggy Dash. A beautiful spring day accompanied RCB employees and their families as they came out in full force to show their support. The event drew more than 5,000 participants, and RCB was proud to be one of the largest groups in attendance. The event raised more than $164,000 to help provide direct care and safe refuge for thousands of animals. However, this event is just a small part of what the SPCA contributes to our community. We sat with Kenn Altine, Chief Executive Officer of the Sacramento SPCA, to find out more about this worthwhile organization that not only shelters and cares for animals, but one that is also helping people who love animals.

The SPCA has been around for 127 years. How much has changed since they opened their doors in 1892?

The SPCA was founded in the late 1800s and incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1927. Though the role of the Sacramento SPCA in our community has evolved over the years (from originally being involved in investigating and enforcing laws surrounding animal cruelty cases and complaints), our mission has remained the same – providing homeless animals with individual comfort, shelter, and love. We provide compassionate medical care to tens of thousands of animals annually and offer a variety of programs and services designed to keep people and pets together for life.

The Sacramento SPCA provides more than shelter and medical services to animals. What services do you offer that most folks would be surprised to hear?

Most people identify animal shelters as a place where stray and homeless animals are housed and also adopted to new families. While we certainly do house stray and homeless animals, as well as find them new homes, we do give much more than shelter to the animals and people in our community. We serve the entire Sacramento region as a premier provider of low-cost spay/neuter services, collaborating with local rescue groups, feral cat caregivers, those in need, and the public to alter more than 18,300 animals in 2018. Additionally, 16,200 low-cost and no-cost vaccinations were provided to the community, 1,200 animals received low-cost veterinary exams and more than 3,600 sick, injured, and homeless animals found new homes through the shelter’s adoption facility. An active humane education program reaches over 7,000 children each year, and a dog training program gives advice and training to more than 3,000 adults each year. We reach out to seniors as hundreds are visited under the pet-facilitated visitation program, and thousands receive free vaccinations for their pets. Over 800 volunteers augment the care for the thousands of unwanted, abused and injured animals that seek shelter at the Society and help with special events

Sacramento SPCA CEO, Kenn Altine, enjoys a comforting moment with cat Tomasina prior to her surgery in the shelter’s spay & neuter clinic.

Sacramento SPCA CEO, Kenn Altine, enjoys a comforting moment with Tomasina prior to her surgery in the shelter’s spay & neuter clinic.

Where do most of your animals come from?

Because we are the only owner-surrender facility in the Sacramento region, the majority of animals housed and adopted through the Sacramento SPCA begin their journey with us after being surrendered by their owner(s). There are many reasons why an individual or family would decide to surrender their animal, most of which are related to housing, veterinary costs, other financial reasons, pet behavior, separation/divorce, or original owner passed away, and the other family members cannot care for the pet.

To help more animals in our region and the surrounding communities, the Sacramento SPCA also regularly transfers animals in from other overburdened shelters. The relocation of these pets not only allows the overburdened shelter to have open kennels for incoming animals but gives the pets transferred the opportunity to find loving homes in a new environment. In 2018, the Sacramento SPCA transferred in 438 animals from other shelters, including animals from the Sacramento City & County shelters, as well as areas impacted by Hurricane Michael and the Camp Fire. So far this year, we have already transferred in more than 300 animals, putting us on track for 600 transfers in 2019.

Team River City Bank at the 2019 Doggy Dash

Team RCB at the 2019 Doggy Dash (photo credit: [email protected])

Besides the Doggy Dash, what other fundraising events happen throughout the year?

We host three signature events annually, more than a dozen smaller events, and participate in a multitude of other community partner-hosted events throughout the region. Our signature events consist of: The Doggy Dash 2k/5k walk and pet festival each April, held at William Land Park; our fall gala, held at the Sacramento SPCA (this year on October 26th) and the Jingle Bell Pup Crawl in December (December 14th this year), which begins at Midtown’s Truitt Bark Park in partnership with a handful of local breweries.

We also regularly host “Yappy Hours” at local breweries throughout Sacramento. These are great opportunities for the community to join us with their pup to enjoy brews, food, raffle prizes and fun (including meeting adoptable dogs) – all to benefit the animals at the Sacramento SPCA. In addition, during the summer months, we host several “Splashy Hours” at The Animal Den Pet Resort & Spa, where people and their pups can have fun escaping the summer heat.

For more information about all our events, visit sspca.org/events.

What advice would you give someone looking to adopt a pet?

If you are like most of us, falling in love with a pet is easy. Pets give us unconditional love and loyalty, and they provide constant companionship. Adopting a pet, however, is a big decision. Dogs, cats, and small animals are living beings that require a considerable amount of time, money, and commitment — more than 15 years’ worth in many cases. Pet ownership can be rewarding, but only if you think through your decision before you adopt. Things to consider before adopting would be:

How much time do you have for a pet?
Can you afford a pet?
Can you have pets where you currently live?
What pet is right for you?
Other Considerations – Depending on the age and behavior of the animal, can you commit your time and money to support ongoing training? Also, who will care for the pet while you are away on vacation or business?

Why did the Sacramento SPCA choose River City Bank?

When we decided to change banks, we had three “set-in-stone” requirements. The first is that the bank had to be financially strong with a track record of managing the accounts and activities of a business. In addition to being a non-profit, we are also a medium-sized employer, run a retail store (our Adoptable Goods thrift store) and have all the accounts payable and receivable associated with any business. Second, we wanted the bank to be local. We are a local organization (not affiliated with the ASPCA or other regional and national groups) and wanted a local partner. Finally, we needed the bank to be invested in the community – not necessarily through donations to animal groups (although that is a plus), but involved in giving their time and their donations to the Sacramento region.

RCB hit all three of those with a proven track record in each, while also aligning with our organization’s mission and core values. While other banks we interviewed offered low or no fees on the services we needed, RCB took the approach of helping us succeed as a business. They also came up with a proposal to help make our money work harder for the animals. We could not be happier with the choice nor the experience we have had as a member of the RCB business family.

December 20, 2018

Crazy Bowl 2018

Team RCB was proud to support and participate in the 32nd Annual Crazy Bowl benefiting Junior Achievement of Sacramento. This year’s Hawaiian theme brought out teams like Cowabunga Cirby, Hawaiian Punch, Hurricane Lanes, and the RCB Menehunes, all of whom vied for strikes while avoiding the gutter. 100% of the proceeds will help meet the growing demand for Junior Achievement programs which deliver financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness programs to students K-12.

Team Lava Flows

Team Hawaiian Punch

Team Business Casual

Team Cowabunga Cirby

December 20, 2018

A Celebration of 35 Years of Generosity

The Sacramento Region Community Foundation reached a milestone this year, celebrating 35 years of inspiring philanthropy in the Sacramento region. As a sponsor of the Foundation’s annual Celebration of Generosity event, several River City Bank team members, including SRCF board member, Anker Christensen, were in attendance to honor the commitment of fundholders, nonprofit leaders, and community partners who strive to transform the capital area to benefit all. For years, the Foundation has led efforts to grow local giving and build nonprofit capacity, close gender and racial gaps in access to higher education, strengthen the food system that feeds our communities, and foster a vibrant creative ecosystem.

At this year’s event, the Foundation also showcased its new logo and tagline. The newly refreshed brand represents the Foundation’s forward movement in the areas where strategic philanthropy can be a catalyst for change. While they have a new look, the Foundation’s commitment to the community remains unwavering. It will continue its role as the Sacramento region’s trusted steward of social consciousness, creating meaningful impact, as it has been since 1983.

To learn more about the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, visit www.sacregcf.org.

Janette Moynier

Anker and Bonnie Christensen

Charice Huntley