 – Once upon a time in the heart of Mercer County, Ohio, there was a quaint little bank known as First Financial Bank. It was more…){kind=link}
“Knowledge is the real treasure,” Roddel would often say, twinkling with enthusiasm. He believed that understanding money and finance was key to unlocking opportunities for families and individuals alike. Year after year, the bank had initiated remarkable book drives, turning collected volumes into beacons of hope and learning.
As the sun shone brightly on the spring day of May 5, excitement buzzed through the bank’s branches at 1942 Havemann Rd in Celina, 220 N. Wayne St in Fort Recovery, and 166 S. Main St in Rockford. This year’s goal was to foster a love for reading while opening the doors to financial wisdom. “Let’s gather the books, folks!” Roddel exclaimed as he clapped his hands, rallying his team and clients alike.
“Donate books on financial literacy or any subject that could inspire our community!” he urged, eyes sparkling with the magic of a thousand untold stories. With each book that came through the door, the excitement grew—educational tomes on saving, imaginative tales of adventure, and heartwarming narratives about friendship and success piled high, waiting to change lives.
By the campaign’s conclusion on May 31, the community had outdone itself, contributing over 4,000 books across four states—Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois. Among those, 759 volumes filled the shelves of Mercer County alone! Each book was destined for local schools, libraries, and nonprofits, ensuring that the messages of hope, resilience, and learning found their way into the hearts and hands of eager readers.
As the last book was wrapped up and placed in a box, Roddel knew that this was more than just a collection of stories—it was a treasure chest brimming with possibilities. To aid the cause further, the bank provided a list of recommended readings, helping patrons choose the perfect tomes to enlighten their journey through finances and life.
The townsfolk of Mercer County would soon vaunt tales of how those books had sparked creativity, ignited passions, and transformed understanding about money management—not merely as a tool but as a means to dream and achieve. Thus, the bank became known not just for finances but as the heart of a thriving community, where books were not just pages but pathways to empowerment.
And in this little oasis of knowledge, the people flourished, carrying forward the legacy of financial literacy, weaving into the fabric of their lives lessons that would echo through generations. And so, as the sun set each evening, casting a golden glow across Mercer County, the tale continued, one book, one lesson at a time.
And they all lived happily ever after, empowered with knowledge.
As I see it by Ben Rayman