Rolling Up Sleeves, Lending Hands, Strengthening Community

Most financial institutions observed Juneteenth by closing their doors, but Forte Bank turned the federal holiday into a day of impact across Washington County. On Friday, June 19, from 9 a.m.–noon, Forte Bank employees sorted donations for families in need, cleaned animal care spaces, pulled weeds, maintained trails, and helped local nonprofits tackle projects that often get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list.

Forte is intentional about service. In partnership with the Volunteer Center of Washington County, employees from its executive leadership team to the front-line staff at all four Forte Bank branches spent the morning volunteering at four nonprofit organizations before enjoying the remainder of the holiday with their families.

It’s one of their core principles and has guided Forte Bank for 119 years: being part of the community means showing up for it.

For one morning, bankers traded business attire for work gloves and purple “Community Is Our Forte” t-shirts as they spread out across the county to lend a hand where it’s needed most.

Volunteer projects included:

• St. Vincent de Paul (West Bend): Organizing donations that help local families and individuals.
• Humane Society of Washington County (Slinger): Cleaning and organizing spaces that support animals waiting for their forever homes.
• Blue Lotus Center (West Bend): Improving trails, gardens, and outdoor spaces used for healing and reflection.
• Cedar Springs Ranch (Slinger): Supporting maintenance projects that help the ranch continue its work serving the community.

Forte Bank knows a strong community isn’t built inside a bank branch. It’s built by neighbors helping neighbors, and on Juneteenth, 65 Forte Bank employees did exactly that. With roots stretching back 119 years in Washington County, the effort is a reminder that community isn’t a marketing slogan at Forte Bank. It’s who they are. It’s a responsibility. It’s a community helping community.

This unique story showcases the importance of Juneteenth with a genuine, local angle: a long-standing community bank choosing to celebrate the holiday not by stepping away from work, but by stepping into the community.