SouthEast Bank Donates $36,000 toward Putnam County school facilities

Northeast Elementary School and Avery Trace Middle School expand student recreational spaces thanks to community bank investment

In partnership with parent-teacher organizations (PTOs), SouthEast Bank recently donated $11,000 to Northeast Elementary School and $25,000 to Avery Trace Middle School in Cookeville. The donations provide half of the funds required to complete key initiatives named by each PTO: an outdoor classroom and playground at Northeast and restroom facilities for the expanded athletic fields at Avery Trace. Combined, the bank’s donations positively impact nearly 1,200 students, as well as teachers, staff, families and visitors.

Matthew Furcean, SouthEast Bank Willow Branch Supervisor; Jeremy Jones, SouthEast Bank Loan Officer; Steve Forgey SouthEast Bank Cookeville City President; Alma Anderson, Avery Trace Middle School Principal; Donna Robinson, SouthEast Bank Assistant Vice President and 10th Street Branch Supervisor; and Clif Matlock, Avery Trace Middle School Assistant Principal and Athletic Director, smile with a check for $25,000, which was donated by SouthEast Bank to construct recreational areas and facilities at the school.

Matthew Furcean, SouthEast Bank Willow Branch Supervisor; Steve Forgey, SouthEast Bank Cookeville City President; Dr. Melissa Palk, Northeast Elementary School Principal; Donna Robinson, SouthEast Bank Assistant Vice President and 10th Street Branch Supervisor; and Jeremy Jones, SouthEast Bank Loan Officer, stand at Northeast’s outdoor classroom and playground, which SouthEast Bank helped fund with an $11,000 donation.

At Northeast, the recreational updates serve educational purposes as well, increasing opportunities for outdoor classes, science experiments, lunches and more. The Northeast PTO raised $11,000 to purchase awnings, and SouthEast Bank’s matching donation went toward picnic tables, together furnishing a sheltered and comfortable space for students to play and learn. SouthEast Bank is one of many local businesses and institutions that have “adopted” Northeast through a programmatic partnership recently revitalized by the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce. The community bank supports the school by raising funds, volunteering and other involvement.

Nearby, Avery Trace Middle School runs a robust sports program, with football, soccer and baseball fields. However, while expanding this area to include a softball field and athletic equipment, the Avery Trace PTO identified a need to install restroom facilities to serve the student-athletes, their families and support staff. There had not been facilities near the fields to date. The PTO raised $25,000 to cover the cost of the new softball field and part of the restroom construction, while SouthEast Bank closed the gap with an additional $25,000. Construction of these recreational areas and facilities are ongoing, and when completed will mark a new chapter for Avery Trace athletics.

Local SouthEast Bank branch managers Donna Robinson and Matthew Furcean, Loan Officer Jeremy Jones and City President Steve Forgey represented the institution during formal check presentations to both Northeast and Avery Trace.

“SouthEast Bank holds a deeply-rooted commitment to education,” Forgey said. “We could not be more pleased to be able to support our local schools with quality facilities, which will certainly help students grow healthy minds and bodies.”

About SouthEast Bank

SouthEast Bank is a community bank headquartered in Farragut, Tennessee. With assets in excess of $2.6 billion, SouthEast Bank offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Middle and East Tennessee, including its specialty consumer loan division, ELFI, which specializes in educational loan programs. SouthEast Bank is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees, and communities. Local decision-making and community involvement have been the driving successes of SouthEast Bank since its inception. Member FDIC.

For more information, visit www.southeastbank.com or call 1-844-732-2657.

Media Contact
Mary Seward
SouthEast Bank Marketing Manager
[email protected]
865-352-1262