ST. LOUIS — Midwest BankCentre has nonprofit banking services that focus on helping nonprofits do their work in St. Louis.
Midwest BankCentre not only serves the needs of the nonprofit through loans, deposit accounts, and treasury management services but also the needs of its clients, helping set them on the path to social mobility.
One of those partnerships is with Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas.
Caroline Schmidt the President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas says that Make-A-Wish is the largest wish-granting organization in the world. "We've fulfilled over 550,000 wishes worldwide, with the help of communities and our global partners."
It started with a single wish on April 29, 1980.
7-year-old Chris Greicius, struggling with leukemia, wanted to be a police officer for a day. Six people answered the call, rallied the entire community, and granted a wish that lifted Chris up during his darkest days.
"So much came out of that first wish," Schmidt said.
To commemorate their humble beginnings and that first wish, every April 29, they celebrate World Wish Day, but the mission deserves more than just a day. That is why this April, they are launching a campaign and embracing the evolution of World Wish Day into World Wish Month.
"We're encouraging the community to come together and become wish makers. A wish maker, being anyone who touches a wish our supporters, our donors, volunteers, sponsors, partners, anyone can be a wish maker," she said.
And one of those partners is their banker.
Ajla Zigic is the Vice President of Community & Economic Development at Midwest BankCentre. Her journey with Make-A-Wish began 16 years ago.
"It's been a very organic relationship and partnership, it actually started off with me volunteering for Make-A-Wish. And after I served just about every role in this organization as a volunteer, it only made sense that I became their banker," Zigic said.
"One of the main attractions to Midwest BankCentre was their commitment to serving the community in a powerful way, positive way, bringing people together locally," Schmidt said.
Over the years, Midwest BankCentre has chosen many ways to be involved with Make-A-Wish. In April, the bank is sponsoring a team for Walk For Wishes, a nationwide Make-A-Wish fundraiser that celebrates the more than 500,000 wishes already granted while raising funds for future wishes.
"This is actually our third year doing a walk team. It is such a great event. It's family-friendly, it's dog friendly. It's a fun morning in Forest Park. I encourage everyone to learn a little bit more, follow Make-A-Wish on Instagram, follow them on Facebook. They currently have over 600 kids on the waitlist. So, it would be wonderful if there are any volunteers out there who would like to become wish granters to reach out and join us," Zigic said.
Walk for Wishes is on April 13th in Forest Park. To register for the walk and additional information, click here.
For more information about Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas, click here.
For further information about Midwest BankCentre, click here.
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