Community – Page 3 – River City Bank

December 20, 2018

The Rotary Club of Carmichael

Uganda Rural Community Water Wells Project

In late 2015, the Rotary Club of Carmichael embarked on a project that would affect the lives of thousands of people in Uganda. The group learned about the rural village in Iyolwa, Uganda named Poyemi through a presentation given by Rotary Member, Richard Olebe. Olebe described Poyemi as a place where villagers spent an average of four to five hours per day walking to and from their primary water source. Much of the time, nearby water sources – like a river or swamp– can be contaminated.

Richard Olebe, a long-time resident of Carmichael who was born and raised in Uganda, proposed the project of building five 200-foot wells in an area where people were living with contaminated water. Olebe, who holds an engineering degree from the University of Nairobi and two master’s degrees from Stanford, spoke on the life-changing benefits these wells can create. The group agreed that this was a project worth taking. Once receiving final approval, the newly-appointed Project Chair traveled to Uganda to iron out the logistics and jumpstart the project.

On December 5, 2018, the project was completed with the final installation of fencing and testing of all the solar-powered submersible pumps associated with each well. The project cost over $200,000 and took three years to finish. The funding for the project originated from grants from the Rotary International Foundation and funds raised by the Carmichael Rotary Club in conjunction with other local clubs within their district. The project commissioning took place at Poyemi on December 15th with Project Chair Olebe and immediate past Carmichael Rotary President Richard Bauer attending the ceremony on behalf of the Carmichael Rotary Club.

The wells now serve approximately 10,000 people and have the potential to output over 7,000 gallons of water per hour. The task that once took several hours to complete reduced to just over 30 minutes per day. The time saved could now be spent studying, earning an income, and performing other essential activities.

By changing the availability of water, the Carmichael Rotary Club’s water wells project has and will continue to have a profound impact on the lives of the people in Poyemi.

Richard Olebe with the local team

Schoolchildren gather at the new well sitePoyemi

Villagers draw water from the newly-completed wells in Poyemi

One of the completed wells in Poyemi

December 18, 2018

River City Bank partners with SMUD to help grow the local economy

Local funding to drive economic development, job growth in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, CA — December 18, 2018 — As one of three local banks involved in the Responsible Investments for a Stronger Economy program, also known as RISE, River City Bank received a $5 million deposit from SMUD which will be used to provide loans to local businesses. RISE was developed by Region Finance, a local non-profit that advocates for local economic development and job creation. As Sacramento’s premier business bank, River City Bank has committed to loan at least 50 percent of the designated funds to qualified applicants in the SMUD service area and will provide periodic updates to SMUD regarding the number of loans made and the projected number of jobs created.

“We are committed to investing in the growth of locally owned businesses and securing additional jobs as Sacramento’s stature grows on the national stage,” said Steve Fleming, President and CEO of River City Bank. “As a founding member of Region Finance and a firm supporter of the RISE program, River City Bank is excited to partner with SMUD to ensure the growth of our local economy, and our bankers look forward to leveraging this investment for the benefit of our entire region.”

River City Bank has been headquartered in Sacramento for more than 45 years and is heavily involved in the local community through its banking services and philanthropy. The bank recently announced that it is providing the loan financing for the new Fort Sutter Hotel in support of the Sacramento-based Paragary family. The 105-room boutique hotel is part of the Hilton Tapestry Collection and will open in Midtown Sacramento in 2020. With the recent launch of its Clean Energy Division, River City Bank also has taken the lead in servicing clients in this fast-growing space and is dedicated to expanding relationships with Community Choice Aggregation businesses such as Yolo County-based Valley Clean Energy and other players.

About Region Finance

Region Finance is a new trade association of Region Business for community banks and related institutions focused on advancing regional economic growth by improving access to capital for businesses in the Sacramento region. Region Finance advocates for government entities and regional corporations to keep money local through the use of local community banks whose business leadership, staff and customers are all located in the Sacramento area. Its mission is to catalyze success for the local business community by keeping and expanding the capital available in local banks that allow for a larger investment into the region. For additional information, please visit RegionBusiness.org/Region-Finance.

About SMUD

As the nation’s sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity for more than 70 years to Sacramento County (and small adjoining portions of Placer and Yolo Counties). SMUD is a recognized industry leader and award winner for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies, and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment.

SMUD’s power mix is about 50 percent non-carbon emitting. For more information, visit SMUD.org.

August 14, 2018

River City Bank and Neighborhood Partners, LLC extend partnership on Cesar Chavez Plaza housing project

Local development symbolizes hope in City of Davis

SACRAMENTO, CA — River City Bank, Sacramento’s premier business bank, donated $1,000 towards Cesar Chavez Plaza’s Resident’s Fund, fulfilling the community’s goal of $10,000. The Resident’s Fund will be used for community-building activities that will strengthen the life of residents. Neighborhood Partners, LLC, a company that specializes in the development and financing of nonprofit, mutual and cooperative housing, is celebrating Cesar Chavez Plaza’s 10 year anniversary. At full occupancy and with a waitlist of more than 284 people, Cesar Chavez Plaza has been successful in providing better housing, living conditions, and support for those in need within the City of Davis community.

“We are thrilled to see the success of Cesar Chavez Plaza and contribute to the ongoing support the City provides to its residents,” said Steve Fleming, President and Chief Executive Officer of River City Bank. “The City of Davis is a valued client of ours, and we support its endeavors to create a significant impact on the community for individuals in need. We also want to acknowledge the excellent work being done by Neighborhood Partners, as this organization has done a superb job in realizing its vision for Cesar Chavez Plaza.”

In 2008, River City Bank was awarded an Affordable Housing Program grant through the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco on behalf of Davis Community Meals and Housing and Neighborhood Partners, LLC. The $470,000 grant was instrumental in breaking ground on Cesar Chavez Plaza, a 53-unit community that provides workforce housing for low-income and specialized needs individuals at the risk of homelessness.

“The commitment of the City of Davis to help provide a better life for at-risk individuals is inspiring and encouraging,” said David Thompson, Co-Principal of Neighborhood Partners, LLC and President of Twin Pines Cooperative Foundation (manager of the Resident’s Fund). “We are overjoyed to be a part of Cesar Chavez Plaza and look forward to its continued success providing hope for those in need.”

A 10 foot by 10 foot “De Colores” mural welcomes residents to Cesar Chavez Plaza and reflects Cesar Chavez’s commitment to the key elements of human life: shelter, food, education, healthcare, livelihood, and community. Longtime Davis resident and reputable artist, Susan Shelton, designed the mural in 2011 after expressing strong interest in supporting the Plaza’s mission. Some of the panels were hand-painted by residents as part of a community build project.

The City of Davis supports the housing development and the social and economic guidance it provides to residents. At the end of 2017, River City Bank announced the City of Davis as one of its newest clients, providing comprehensive banking services for the city across multiple accounts. The Bank’s involvement in the local community through the provision of services, donations, and fundraising activities such as Cesar Chavez Plaza represent its ongoing effort to bettering the communities in which it is involved.

About Neighborhood Partners, LLC

Neighborhood Partners, LLC’s vision is to create livable communities that enhance the quality of community life, increase resident involvement and incorporate an environmental ethos. The organization brings 40 years of development experience to its clients and partners, and it has developed 1,000 units of nonprofit housing valued at over $200 million. Neighborhood Partners develops only cooperative, mutual and nonprofit housing by leveraging local resources, bringing in external capital and obtaining supportive subsidies. It has created communities for hundreds of working families, as well as hundreds of seasoned seniors. For more information, visit npllc.org.

December 5, 2017

Kelly Foundation awards $100,000 to American Red Cross for Wildfire Relief

Major Gift earmarked exclusively for communities devastated and recovering

SACRAMENTO, CA – December 5, 2017 – The Kelly Foundation, of which River City Bank is a major contributor, has awarded its 2018 Major Gift of $100,000 to the American Red Cross Gold Country Region. The money is to be used exclusively to help those devastated by the recent California wildfires which struck directly in the heart of the communities served by The Kelly Foundation and River City Bank. The funds will help the American Red Cross continue to respond and help victims recover from this unprecedented tragedy.

“The destruction from these fires was as heartbreaking as it was indiscriminate, affecting people of all ages and economic levels,” said Shawn Kelly Devlin, President of the Kelly Foundation and Chairman of the Board of River City Bank. “Yet an agency that was seemingly everywhere, helping, was the American Red Cross. Its ability to provide boots on the ground and make an immediate impact was admirable, and the urgency of the situation led us to award this donation swiftly in order to help our neighbors in need.”

Devlin was more than a donor; she and her husband, Dr. Patrick Devlin, lost their home and everything in it during the devastating Tubbs fire which caused over $1.2 billion in damage as it destroyed more than 5,000 structures and claimed dozens of lives. “We were our own first responders that night,” said Devlin. “But now we have the opportunity to help others, since it will take a long time for the community to recover.”

“The Kelly Foundation is a valued partner of the American Red Cross,” said Gary Strong, American Red Cross Gold Country Region CEO. “We appreciate the foundation’s generous support as we continue to provide services to those directly affected by the California wildfires.”

To put the size of the Kelly Foundation donation in perspective, this amount of funding allows the Red Cross to provide much-needed items like 500 days’ worth of food and shelter for a displaced family of three; or some 4,000 comfort kits (containing hygiene items such as deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste); or snacks and 8,000 hot meals; or 20,000 blankets.

The American Red Cross, working with community and government partners, has provided more than 27,900 overnight stays in emergency shelters and has served more than 196,300 meals in response to the California wildfires. It has distributed more than 145,700 emergency relief items such as masks, gloves, rakes, trash bags and comfort kits. It continues to provide casework in the form of counseling, housing support and aid with applying for assistance and insurance claims.

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.

About American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

October 4, 2016

River City Bank donates more than $6,600 to National Human Development Foundation

Contribution will aid programs for at-risk children and their parents

SACRAMENTO, CA — Oct.4, 2016 — In another bold commitment to Sacramento’s future, River City Bank issued a generous donation check in the amount of $6,617.01 to Sacramento-based National Human Development Foundation (NHDF). NHDF provides educational services for young children while supporting their often struggling parents to achieve educational and employment goals.

“The future of this region is in our children,” noted River City Bank President and CEO Steve Fleming. “We applaud and support NHDF’s mission to provide comprehensive child development services and an essential boost for parents. On a personal note,” added Fleming, “NHDF is one of River City Bank’s very first business clients; our relationship with this wonderful organization dates back to 1978.”

The donation consists of contributions from River City Bank as a corporate entity, as well as internal fundraising efforts from its staff. As part of an annual tradition, River City Bank initiated a series of fundraising activities to encourage staff to provide donations to NHDF as its charity of choice in 2016.

“We are so grateful to River City Bank for this contribution,” noted NHDF Executive Director Michael Kurtz. “Our mission is to provide children with an emotionally supportive and intellectually-stimulating environment, while providing parents with quality, affordable and reliable child-care services. This generous contribution will help us to better serve at-risk families with our proven and innovative programs.”

NHDF operates three preschool centers and one infant-and-toddler center, with the capacity to help nearly 200 children and their parents every day. The organization is renovating a fifth property to extend services to Del Paso Heights and is working to develop its outdoor activity centers into Certified Nature Explore Classrooms in conjunction with the Arbor Day Foundation. NHDF has a track record of not just helping children, but also helping their parents to improve their socioeconomic status through employment. For more information about NHDF, please visit www.nhdf.biz.

ABOUT RIVER CITY BANK:

River City Bank is the largest bank based in Sacramento and the Sacramento region’s premier business bank with assets over $1.6 billion. River City Bank offers a comprehensive suite of banking services, including loans, deposits and cash management tools to the business, consumer and commercial real estate sectors. With tailored, executive-level service and a Five Star “Superior” financial rating from the nation’s leading independent bank-rating firm, Bauer Financial, River City Bank redefines the banking experience and every touch point that surrounds it. River City Bank is the largest, independent, locally-owned bank in the Sacramento region with an office in the San Francisco Bay Area and a presence in Southern California. For additional information, please visit www.rivercitybank.com or call (916) 567-2600. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

ABOUT NHDF:

National Human Development Foundation (NHDF) provides the families of Sacramento County with comprehensive child-development services that include: child care for children six weeks to six years of age, early childhood education, parent education classes, child nutrition projects, before- and after-school care for children, youth employment training and inclusive education for disabled preschool-age children. NHDF operates four centers, located in Sacramento (two locations), Galt and Carmichael. For more information, visit www.nhdf.biz.