United Community Bank’s (UCB) Gillespie branch has made a $2,000 gift to The Partnership for Educational Excellence. The money is in response to the education foundation’s 25th anniversary drive to raise at least $25,000 to increase its academic tuition scholarships to $1,000 each.

“The bank is very excited to make this gift,” says Jenni Alepra , Senior Vice President - Retail, Regional Manager. “I went to our president, Todd Wise, and showed him what remarkable contributions The Partnership has made in the past quarter century. I said I’d like the bank to be a part of this 25th anniversary fund drive. His response was enthusiastic and generous. We’re proud to make this contribution to the future of our children and our community.”

Alepra notes that UCB’s Student of the Month program, which culminates in an annual scholarship, reflects the bank’s hometown community banking philosophy that has been in place since 1973. In addition, Alepra herself has been an active and committed member of the CUSD7 school board for 16 years.

“We are grateful for the support which Jenni Alepra and UCB have always shown The Partnership,” says John Fassero, Jr., president and a founding member. “UCB has supported every one of our fund raisers. Now this gift is a thrilling new chapter in their generosity. Every penny will be used to match existing memorial scholarships dollar-for-dollar.”

Headquartered in Chatham, Illinois, UCB is locally owned and managed. The company empowers branch managers to make local decisions that best support the communities where they work and live.

John Fassero, Jr., president of The Partnership, accepts a $2,000 donation from Jenni Alepra, Senior Vice President of United Community Bank's (UCB) Gillespie location.