First National Bank & Trust employees continued its tradition of taking part by surprising area emergency/urgent care workers with grab-and-go foods, as well as making special donations to local animal shelters.

Committee members made stops at Emplify Health by Bellin, Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson and the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center.

“We appreciate the level of quality care they provide and the sacrifices they make to provide that level of care,” said Jean M. O’Dette, First National Bank & Trust’s chair of the Spread Goodness Day Committee.

“We want to acknowledge their hard work and remind them that they are appreciated. They are always there when we need them, and it’s our turn to show up for them,” she said.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK & Trust presented the Almost Home Animal Shelter in Quinnesec on Spread Goodness Day with a $505 check along with donated items. From left are shelter staff member Nicole Lindgren; First National Bank employees Laura Bemis, Stacey Pepin, and Cristina Whitaker; shelter manager Diane Luczak; and First National Bank employees Tammie Loker and Cole Grenier. (Submitted photo)

Because ED/urgent care employees work long hours and rarely get breaks, the committee reached out to them to provide a “wish list.” They delivered a variety of nutritious snacks, goodies, flavored water and juices.

On behalf of the Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson Emergency Department, Dr. Robert Tacia thanked them for the gift.

“I think it’s an amazing thing and what a beautiful idea for a day,” Tacia said.

“Working in the emergency department can be challenging. To work with the community on their most difficult days, it can be stressful, sad — you run through the gamut of emotions. But seeing that kindness reflected back from the community, it’s just an amazing thing,” he said.

Because employees of the VA hospital are unable to accept gifts, the bank acknowledged them with a large card full of sentiments that expressed their appreciation.

MICHELLE CLEMENTS, center, of Northwoods Animal Shelter in Iron River accepts donations from Connie Roese and Gary Scalcucci of the First National Bank & Trust in Iron River on Spread Goodness Day on Friday. (Submitted photo)

With funds raised from the First National Bank & Trust’s Denim Days, they were able to make donations to local animal shelters. On Fridays, employees had the opportunity to wear denim jeans in exchange for making donations.

They gave $505 to the Almost Home Animal Shelter. In addition, employees collected items for the animals, including bedding, treats, toys and cleaning supplies that were on the shelter’s list of needed items.

The Northwoods Animal Shelter in Iron River was able to use its $180 to purchase needed items.

They also presented a $160 check to the Menominee Animal Shelter in Menominee.

Spread Goodness Day was founded in 2017 by Anna Dravland of Marquette.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK Chief Operations Officer Jim Moln presents the delivery of goodies for Spread Goodness Day on Friday to Dr. Alyssa Lautenschlager of Emplify Health by Bellin in Kingsford. (Submitted photo)

As a young adult, Dravland suffered a massive stroke that forever changed her life. Since then, she has dealt with multiple health issues that she continues to deal with today.

Going through her situation, Dravland recognized the pure kindness of people and it became her mission to do something good.

People are encouraged, especially on the second Friday of March each year, to pay it forward by doing a nice gesture for an individual or their community. That could be something big, like presenting gifts or offering free services, to something small like holding open a door.

“The movement to show the epic power of one act of goodness, multiplied by hundreds, thousands, and maybe millions of people, has the power to change the world in just one day has become viral,” O’Dette said.

Many states, including Michigan and Wisconsin, have formally recognized the event with proclamations making it official.

O’Dette said they were able to meet Dravland last summer when she made a visit to the bank to personally thank them for their continued support.

She also presented them with “Give For Goodness” numbered tokens, which they gave out several of them today.

First National Bank & Trust has been involved with Spread Goodness Day from the beginning.

“The first year we focused on doing good things for our employees,” O’Dette said. “The second year we branched out.”

Over the past seven years, they have “Spread Goodness” to local first responders, including police, fire and EMS departments, teachers, and nursing homes. They have also done random acts of kindness by giving out gift cards, flowers and Chamber Cash.

“Each year, we focused on different areas and showed our appreciation and spread a little kindness around,” O’Dette said.