WASHINGTON – David Devine of Columbia Bank in Tacoma, Wash. has received the American Bankers Association Foundation George Bailey Distinguished Service Award for his work with the homeless population of the Northwest. Devine, who is the senior vice president and marketing director for Columbia Bank, will be presented the award during ABA’s Annual Convention in Nashville Oct. 16.
The George Bailey Distinguished Service Award is given to a non-CEO bank employee who demonstrates outstanding initiative, commitment to the bank’s customers and the communities they serve and inspires others. Devine is being recognized for his focus on philanthropy and improving the lives of those in his community – specifically the homeless population of the Northwest.
Thanks to Devine’s initiative, Columbia Bank started the Warm Hearts Winter Drive in 2015 to benefit homeless shelters within its three-state footprint. Devine and Columbia Bank encouraged employees and community members to make cash donations or bring winter clothing to any of the bank’s 140 branches. Ultimately, the program raised more than $150,000 and collected nearly 12,000 articles of warm winter wear for shelters and relief organizations throughout the region.
Devine’s charitable efforts didn’t stop with the Warm Hearts Winter Drive. Last year, he and his team coordinated Columbia Bank’s two Puget Sound Heart Walks to raise money for the American Heart Association and helped nearly double the funds raised.
He is also passionate about providing access to the arts for economically disadvantaged families and built a coalition around this mission through Columbia Bank’s Third Thursday program. The Third Thursday program allows community members to visit local museums free of charge on the third Thursday of every month. In 2015, Devine joined the board of the Washington State Historical society to help strengthen and increase awareness of the Third Thursday free admission program. He is currently working to expand Third Thursday so it includes all Tacoma-based art organizations in the program over the next few years.
Additionally, Devine works with the Tacoma Urban League and the Tacoma NAACP to support programs that help provide young minority students with the resources, education and mentorship that will afford them the same opportunities for success as their peers.
“David has harnessed both his creativity and passion for philanthropy to improve the quality of life for many within the Columbia Bank community,” said Rob Nichols, ABA president and CEO. “His work embodies the mission of the George Bailey Service Award and the recognition is incredibly well-deserved.”
“This award is a tremendously humbling validation of Columbia Bank’s commitment to philanthropy and bettering the communities in which we serve,” said Melanie Dressel, Columbia Bank president and CEO. “David’s passion for helping others has driven our efforts and we are thrilled that he, and Columbia Bank, are being recognized with this prestigious honor.”
The ABA Foundation honors six banks annually for their commitment to their communities. This is the only award given to an individual.