St. Cloud, MN [February 13, 2018] — As hurricane survivors in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico prepare to mark six months since record-breaking storms caused catastrophic damage, the American Red Cross is recognizing Stearns Bank, headquartered in St. Cloud, Minnesota, for supporting the Disaster Responder Program with a pledge of $250,000.

Disaster Responder members pledge donations year-round, in advance of major disasters, to ensure the Red Cross can respond immediately with comfort and care whenever and wherever disasters occur, help families during the recovery process, and ensure communities become better prepared for the next disaster.

“Ongoing financial support from members of the Disaster Responder Program helps create a reliable funding base for disaster relief services, providing food, shelter, emotional support and other essential assistance,” said Don Herring, American Red Cross national chief development officer. “Money donated by the public and members of our Disaster Responder Program is essential to our ability to assist disaster survivors and support the first responders and volunteers who work tirelessly at the scene of a disaster.”

Stearns Bank initiated its commitment to the Red Cross shortly after Hurricanes Harvey and Irma made landfall, impacting a number of Stearns Banks customers throughout Texas and Florida. Quick funding and support was necessary to keep many of these customers in business.  Stearns Bank was inspired to join the Disaster Responder program to ensure that Red Cross has the critical resources to respond quickly and compassionately to emergencies of all sizes when they happen – from hurricanes to home fires.

“At Stearns Bank, caring for others is a common thread throughout our organization. It is a big part of our culture, because it is simply the right thing to do,” said Kelly Skalicky, President, Stearns Bank. “In addition to the donation of $250,000, Stearns Bank employees, with a matching donation from the Norman C. Skalicky Foundation, have given nearly $30,000 to the American Red Cross to help people affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. These contributions are an investment in the well-being of our communities, and we are proud to partner with the Red Cross to maximize that investment.”

Each year, the Red Cross responds to nearly 64,000 disasters across the country, including home fires, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and wildfires. Red Cross services are provided to people in need of assistance at no cost and regardless of income through the generosity of Red Cross donors.

Individuals can help people affected by disasters by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Donations to Disaster Relief enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-REDCROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

About Stearns Bank | We get the job done!®

Minnesota-based Stearns Bank National Association is a $2 billion, independently-owned financial institution with locations in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona, and over 33,000 small business customers nationwide, in every U.S. state. Recognized as the #1 performing bank in the nation by both American Banker and Independent Banker magazines, Stearns specializes in small business lending and equipment financing. Driven by its mission to deliver outstanding personal service, fast decisions and customized finance solutions, Stearns gets the job done! For more information, visit StearnsBank.com.

About the 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.

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Contact: Lynn Melling, Stearns Bank PR

(612) 342-9759

and

Carrie Carlson-Guest, American Red Cross

(612) 743-5555