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Timberland Bank provides additional $10,000 to home builders foundation for academy

November 25, 2024

The Washington Home Builders Foundation (WHBF) received a $10,000 boost from Timberland Bank to support its new training academy.

“We are thrilled to accept this $10,000 grant to help fund our new Construction Trades Training Academy,” said Raelle Vitali, who works to secure funding for the foundation. “Timberland Bank is an outstanding community partner. We’re grateful for their ongoing support.”

Construction Trades Training Academy launches in January 2025

The WHBF Construction Trades Training Academy will provide participants with necessary skills and place them directly into jobs where employers need them most.

Designed by the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) in partnership with the Home Builders Institute (HBI), the WHBF Construction Trades Training Academy will tackle the skilled labor shortage in the construction industry with a comprehensive training-to-placement model.

Timberland Bank supports workforce development

Timberland Bank initially provided a $2,000 grant from its local branch. The bank then submitted another request to its national office for the additional $10,000.

Jonathan Fischer, President and Chief Operating Officer of Timberland Bank in Hoquiam, presented the check to the foundation’s Raelle Vitali on Nov. 19.

Supporting the communities they serve

Timberland Bank proudly contributes thousands of dollars to help the communities they serve. Aside from funding the Washington Home Builders Foundation, Timberland Bank also supports:

  • Local shred days to help protect customers from identity theft
  • Food drives to collect food and monetary donations for local food banks
  • Habitat for Humanity to build homes for low-income families
  • The Little Red Schoolhouse Project to provide school supplies to students in Thurston County
  • Summit Pacific Medical Foundation to help double bed capacity in the Emergency Department and increase the number of beds available for acute care

They also provide a Giving Center for customers to contribute to charities of their choosing. Founded more than 100 years ago in downtown Hoquiam so loggers could borrow funds to buy homes, Timberland Bank now has locations in six Washington Counties.

Give big on Giving Tuesday

Anyone can contribute to the Washington Home Builders Foundation. Donations are tax-deductible. The foundation supports and elevates programs that provide building-related education and opportunities to students pursuing careers in the building industry.

The foundation has awarded more than $830,000 in scholarships and grants since inception.

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