Columbia Bank Launches Third Annual Warm Hearts Winter Drive

TACOMA, Wash., Nov. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbia Bank is launching its third annual Warm Hearts Winter Drive to benefit families and individuals struggling with homelessness in the Northwest. The Bank plans to raise $225,000 and more than 10,000 items of warm winter wear to support more than 50 local homeless shelters and aid organizations throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho during the cold and wet winter months.

"We are proud to continue partnering with our neighbors to help those struggling with homelessness during the coldest months of the year," said Hadley Robbins, president and CEO of Columbia Bank. "Our combined efforts will provide warmth and comfort for those in need this winter."

Over 36,000 people in Washington, Oregon and Idaho experience homelessness, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Understanding the critical need firsthand in the Northwest, Columbia Bank responded with the creation of the Warm Hearts Winter Drive to provide support across the region during the most difficult months of the year.

Columbia Bank employees at all of its more than 150 branches are actively engaged in securing cash donations and new warm clothing from clients and community members. 100 percent of the clothing and funds collected during the Warm Hearts Winter Drive are donated directly back to the shelters and relief organizations in the communities where the collections originated. Among the list of 58 benefiting organizations are the Portland Rescue Mission, Seattle Gospel Union Mission, Tacoma Rescue Mission, Eugene Mission and Bonner Homeless Transition in Idaho.

This year, CHI Franciscan Health based in Tacoma, WA has joined the campaign as a partner sponsor. The organization will provide a donation, new warm wear collection locations and additional fundraising support throughout the Puget Sound.

The Warm Hearts Winter Drive accepts cash donations in addition to new winter apparel. Donations can be submitted online at WarmHeartsWinterDrive.com and both cash and new warm winter attire can be donated at every Columbia Bank branch across the Northwest. For more information on the list of benefitting organizations in each county or to make a cash donation, please visit WarmHeartsWinterDrive.com.

About Columbia Bank

Headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, Columbia Banking System, Inc. is the holding company of Columbia Bank, a Washington state-chartered full-service commercial bank with locations throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho. For the eleventh consecutive year, the bank was named in 2017 as one of Puget Sound Business Journal's "Washington's Best Workplaces." Columbia ranked in the top 30 on the 2017 Forbes list of best banks. More information about Columbia can be found on its website at www.columbiabank.com.

Media Contact:
Moira Conlon
Financial Profiles, Inc.
(310) 622- 8220

SOURCE Columbia Bank