Why We Love Local
We believe local businesses are the key to maintaining vibrant, healthy communities. Local establishments promote interaction between friends and neighbors from the grocery store on the corner to the coffee shop downtown. Small businesses bring unique character to our communities and create jobs for those who want to work close to home.
As a locally-owned community bank, we are devoted to donating to local causes, sponsoring area activities, and participating in community events. Our employees are local people who realize the value of giving back to their communities through volunteerism.
At Riverstone Bank, we love local and do our best to support local people and businesses! We are proud to reinvest in our local communities through loans that support area business owners, ag operations, and families.
We LOVE honoring our Communities!
October 2024-- Our local Craft Drink Engineers--We love those who have mastered Ciders, Brews, Malts and everything in between!
Annual Gift of Love Program
What started as a “Dress A Doll” contest has grown into so much more…Riverstone Bank’s annual Gift of Love Program. (Dates are updated in October)
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2024 Program Dates
- November 7, (5-7pm): Gift of Love Kickoff
- November 1 – December 31: Donations of NEW kids’ coats accepted at both Scottsbluff and Gering branches
- November 8 – December 11: Names available for choosing from Tree of Names at either the Scottsbluff or Gering branches
- December 11: All gifts need to be returned to Riverstone Bank
- December 6: Canned food pickups and weighing (December 1st will be added if needed)
- December 14: (9 a.m. – noon.): Truck of Love! Accepting donations of new and gently used toys and coats in the Scottsbluff Branch parking lot, as well as canned food and cash donations
Four Components
Tree of Names
In the lobby of both Scottsbluff and Gering branches we have trees that have “wish lists” of local children, we ask all that can to come to pick a name and help make the holiday season brighter for that child.
Truck of Love
We will have a Cross Country Freight Solutions truck in the parking lot of the Scottsbluff branch to accept new and gently used toys, the Lakota Lutheran Center van we try and stuff with gently used coats, and we will be collecting canned goods and non-perishable food items for the Valley Christian Neighbors in Need food pantry.
Coats for Kids
There are collection boxes in both the Scottsbluff and Gering locations for new kids’ coats. These coats are given to CAPWN to disperse to children in need.
Canned Food Challenge
We challenge the schools to collect non-perishable food items. The school that collects the most poundage will receive $300 or a Private viewing of the Holiday Movie at the Historic Midwest Theater!
This is what makes it all so GREAT...by giving to our Gift of Love Program, you can truly reach out and touch the lives of others ...AND KNOW THAT IT STAYS RIGHT HERE IN YOUR COMMUNITY!
History of the Gift of Love
In l981, Gift of Love began as a "Dress A Doll" Contest. The Bank purchased dolls, which were given to area women to dress, and then the dolls were given as gifts at Christmas time to less fortunate children. The next year it was decided that boys were being left out...so a "Create A Toy" Contest was added with wooden toy kits (airplanes, trucks, etc.) purchased by the Bank and given out for people to sand, paint, and finish. These gifts were then distributed to both boys and girls. This continued for several years until the quality of the dolls and toy kits became inferior and another source could not be found. The name was changed to "GIFT OF LOVE", and the program changed to include food and gifts for all ages. In 1986 First State Bank purchased the Bank of Gering and inherited their tradition of the "CAP AND MITTEN TREE". At that time all of the toys and gifts were displayed in the Scottsbluff lobby and the caps and mittens in the Gering lobby for everyone to enjoy before they are delivered the week before Christmas.
Each year the program has grown so that many more people are being touched. Some ladies crochet and sew all year long for the program. Some have purchased gifts. Many purchase an extra sack of groceries when they are at the store. Some give cash. Some classes have held fundraisers and then purchased gifts themselves. Shop classes have made toys. School classrooms compete against each other to see who can collect the most can good items. Santa has gone to some schools to pick up their gifts, food, etc. The children are told how important it is for them to reach out to someone less fortunate than they and especially how meaningful it is for the recipients when they receive their "GIFT OF LOVE" from someone they don't even know.
Several years ago, an effort began to develop a "screening process" for recipients of food baskets and gifts from various organizations in the community. This was done so there would be less duplication and thus, more people on the receiving end. CAPWN maintains the list, which is comprised of applicants from their Holiday Wish List application process, every October.
2024 Jingle Jog
City of Scottsbluff Jingle Jog
This approximately 3-mile fun run/walk is for all parents, grandparents, Non joggers, or even an elf on the shelf! The course travels through Scottsbluff beginning and ending at Riverstone Bank. Mrs.Claus would approve--Treat Stations, Carolers, and more! Anybody wishing to participate in the Jingle Jog will receive $10 off registration by presenting a new, unwrapped gift. Registrations can be dropped off at either Riverstone Bank or the City of Scottsbluff
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