Giving Branch Donations

Giving Branch Donations is sponsored by Giving Branch Foundation. The Giving Branch Foundation, funded by Flat Branch Mortgage, Inc. employees, supports local communities by distributing funds to individuals facing hardships such as unexpected medical bills or disaster recovery.

## Giving to Those In Need Employee-led and employee-funded, with every dollar matched by Flat Branch. Funds raised go directly back into the local community, the majority to individuals. We saw a need within our Flat Branch family and expanded to serve our hometowns.

Every dollar raised through The Giving branch stays within our communities. We support local charities as well as families in need. If you know a family or charity in need of assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us!

Anyone and any organization can apply! Applications go to your regional Community Giving Team for review. For working adults looking to pursue a higher education, awards ranging from $500 - $5000.

## Eligble Hardships for Giving Branch Grants ### Sudden Death/Unexpected Death Examples include someone who is contributing to the household, a minor, or someone who has dependents. Documentation required for this type of request would be Name, DOB, and SSN for the deceased as well as Individuals/dependents living in household and obituary For those who experience natural disaster or unexpected short[1]term emergency.

Must be distributed within 3 months of emergency. Examples of an Emergency Assistance: For individuals and families in need have support due to an emergency or disaster, such as flood, fire, tornado, violent crime, sudden death, physical abuse, or trauma. Furthermore, The Giving Branch will provide grants to those who were displaced due to damage to their residence.

Funds are not given for cosmetic repairs to structure.

Once the request is approved you may be required to provide an additional documentation including: · Medical documentation (excluding insurance) · Letter from employer stating the individual had to miss work for a period of time due to the emergency that has taken place · If there is a fire, flood, tornado, insurance documentation can be provided but we must assess if the individual will be getting back a large sum of money.

If so we will want to evaluate the dollar amount we are giving. · Letter from Clergy For those who are experiencing an ongoing hardship including transitory hardship, such as job loss, illness, injuries, or temporary displacement. Examples of a Hardship include: Job Loss, Illness, Injuries, or Temporary displacement.

Once the request is approved you may be required to provide an additional documentation including: · Letter from employer explain missed work · Medical documentation if illness is reason for assistance · Documentation of displacement · Letter from Clergy ### Documentation Requirements -$0-$1499- Hardship documentation required.

$1499-$2500- Hardship documentation, financial needs form (provided by The Giving Branch) $2500-$5000- Hardship documentation, Financial needs form, and most recent w2 or tax return Raised by the employees of Flat Branch Families assisted in their time of need Organizations helped meeting their financial needs (including United Way) Given to families and organizations (including United Way) ## Branching Out in Our Communities Read stories of some of the people and organizations we have helped.

The Browning family is fighting an unimaginable battle. Nearly every member of their family is positive with a gene that causes Osteosarcoma, a bone cancer that creates tumors that weakens long bones within the body. The family recently lost their sister Hailey to Osteosarcoma, and 9 year old Hannah had to have her leg amputated – all while their father fights his battle with the disease.

Despite this, the family is full of life and courage. They enjoy rural farming, as well as showing goats and sheep. Their resilience is inspiring, and we knew we needed to support them in any way we could.

The contribution they received will be used for treatments and testing so their family can continue this fight. The Payton family had two tragic events happen to them within weeks. The Payton's are a family of 5 boys and 2 newborn twins, a boy and a girl.

On January 12th, Antonio was checking on their newborn twins. Their 2 month old son was napping and was blue in the face. Antonio is a Police Officer and started performing CPR while his wife, Precious, called 911.

Antonio said, "I have seen dead people and I promise was my son was gone." An ambulance, rushed their son to the hospitcal and stabilized him. Doctors explained he Rotavirus (inflammation of the stomach and intestines) along with a blockage to his lungs preventing him from properly breathing.

He has been in the hospital since that day, but is expected to be released shortly... happy and healthy. On January 31st, the Payton family was hit with another tragedy when their house caught on fire due to a circuit breaker malfunction.

Antonio quickly got everyone out of the house and, once safely outside, he rushed back in to try to contain the fire. Unfortunately, he was unable to contain the fire and called the fire department. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the house was condemned.

They are very thankful that they are still a whole family and very appreciative for the kind gesture The Giving Branch has given. Seven-year-old Daniel was at the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery with his little brother and sister.

They had been living in the car with their mother for three days before she called the Crisis Nursery Mom dropped the children at the Crisis Nursery while she went to secure permanent housing, using resources given to her by Crisis Nursery Staff. The counselor at the Nursery put a plate of food in front of Daniel at dinner time, and he immediately began dividing it to share with his siblings.

The counselor told Daniel that his brother and sister would each get their own plate and he did not have to share. Daniel couldn't believe it. The counselor could see Daniel's face brighten as the weight of concern and responsibility was lifted from his little seven-year-old shoulders.

At the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery, we let kids be kids while we help the grown-ups work through whatever crisis is occurring in the family. It is only because of amazing supporters, like those at The Giving Branch, that we can keep our doors open for kids like Daniel.