First National Bank celebrates its 100th anniversary as a community bankon Friday, April 19, according to Todd Mason, president and chief executive officer.

The anniversary is celebrated in each of the communities where a branch of the bank is located. The celebration schedule follows:

• 9 a.m. Ottawa branch, 855 N. Main St.
• 11 a.m.  Pandora branch, 102 E. Main St.
• 1 p.m. Findlay branch, 111 Trenton Ave.
• 3 p.m. Bluffton branch, 112 Cherry St.

Each branch celebration includes a check presentation to a local charity, plus food, memorabilia and giveaways to the public.

Leading up to the day, the bank will match donations up to $5,000 to local organizations of the bank’s employees’ choice – as well as paying-it-forward in all its communities with random cash surprises totaling $5,000.

“We encourage everyone to share their experience on social media with the hashtag #FNBGivesBack,” said Jennifer Vastano, First National marketing director.

Donations to Bluffton Child Development Center
and Weekday Release program
During the 3 p.m. celebration at the Bluffton branch, a donation will be presented to the Bluffton Child Development Center (BCDC) and the Weekday Release.

“Our center is an educational center that cares for children ages 6 weeks old to 12 years of age,” said Francine Donathan, BCDC director.

“We believe that all children should have the opportunity to learn at their own appropriate level of development. We accomplish this by a hands-on approach to education that encourages each child to become excited about the learning process.”

The Weekday Release Program serves as part of the Bluffton community for more than 90 years. It provides religious education for school-age children through a school release. Participating children have the option of attending if their parents choose.

“Improving lives through community banking is our mission,” said Mason. “The Bluffton Child Development Center and the Weekday Release Programs encompass this fully.

"They work toward bettering the lives of the kids and their parents in the area and we are thrilled to be able to present them with this special donation that will impact the lives of the Bluffton community.”

“We are excited to celebrate our 100th anniversary with all our area communities,” said Mason. “It’s a tremendous achievement to have a small local bank continue its mentality of giving back to the community that was started all the way back in 1919.”

The bank organized in Pandora in the fall of 1918 and was chartered in 1919. Thirty people consented to be stockholders at that time. Seven were chosen to serve on the board of directors.

Today’s bank board of directors are John B. Arnold, chairman of the board; J. Peter Suter, chairman of Pandora Bancshares; Jared Lehman, secretary, Randal J. Verhoff, Scott Basinger and Todd Mason.