BankFirst donates to the Hope Center

Photo: Stacy Dodd of the Hope Center (center) is joined by (from left) Kyle McCoy and Marty Garrard of BankFirst. McCoy nominated the Hope Center for a $1,000 donation to the Hope Center, part of a bank program to invest in local nonprofits through nominations by bank employees. (Courtesy photo)  

July 30 – A DeSoto County bank recently started a program to donate to local nonprofits, as employees were encouraged to nominate nonprofit programs the bank could provide a $1,000 donation.

BankFirst DeSoto County President Kyle McCoy has continued the program with a recent donation of $1,000 to the nonprofit Hope Center. It’s part of a program started by the financial institution in May.

The Hope Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring and empowering at-risk youth from grades 3-12. It aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for these students, focusing on both group and one-on-one mentoring. The center partners with the Mentor Memphis Grizzlies Foundation to enhance its impact and relies on volunteers from the local community to staff its programs. 

The Hope Center also organizes Youth Leadership Conferences to inspire and equip future leaders. These conferences feature local community leaders who share their experiences and leadership insights. The goal is to engage students in grades 6-12 and help them develop the skills needed to positively influence their communities.

“We are honored by the generosity and support from Kyle McCoy and the team at Bank First,” said Hope Center co-founder Stacy Dodd. “This donation will be very beneficial for our upcoming Youth Leadership Conferences in Horn Lake and Olive Branch as well as continuing our mission of Creating Opportunities, Equipping Future Leaders and Investing in Our Community. Thank you so much for thinking of us and supporting the mission.”