Photo Provided Unified Bank staffers stand with United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley Executive Director Jessica Rine. Unified Bank employees donated funds from their pay to those in need through the United Way’s payroll deduction plan. Pictured, from left, are Amy Gresak, retail banking executive for Unified Bank; Rine; Stacy Carpino, retail banking executive for Unified Bank; and Angie Coe, retail banking executive for Unified Bank. Unified Bank carries on tradition of caring

MARTINS FERRY — Unified Bank and its employees contributed more than $11,000 to local charities through its payroll deduction plan.

Every year employees of Unified Bank contribute money from their own paychecks to causes represented by the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley. Employees have the option each year to donate a percentage of each week’s paycheck to various foundations in the valley through the United Way’s payroll deduction plan.

Stacy Carpino, retail banking executive for Unified Bank, said it’s one of the ways the bank and its employees give back to the community. Carpino is a mortgage and personal loan provider for Unified in Martins Ferry, Bridgeport and St. Clairsville.

“Some of the folks in the areas we serve need our help, and our Unified Team is glad to be able to provide this through our paychecks. We simply agree to an amount at the beginning of the year, and that amount is taken out every pay,” she added.

This year, Unified team members contributed $6,448 to the United Way, along with another $5,000 that Unified Bank contributed, bringing the total donation to $11,448.

Jessica Rine, executive director of the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley, said people need an affordable way to give back to their communities, and the payroll deduction campaign offers just that.

“The United Way is blessed to have caring companies and caring employees, like our friends at Unified Bank, who give so generously,” she said.

The United Way serves Brooke, Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel counties in West Virginia and Belmont and Monroe counties in Ohio. According to the United Way, all that is raised here in the Ohio Valley stays here in the valley. Donations made to the organization remain local, helping neighbors overcome crises.

The United Way is a community advocate and fundraising organization that promotes giving. As a nonprofit organization, it supports 24 member agencies and programs that support the community’s toughest needs. They are united in improving health, education and financial stability as a way to strengthen communities.

Scott Everson, president, chairman and CEO of Unified Bank, said the bank is honored to support the United Way and its many charities.

“We are not only honored to support the many causes represented by the United Way, we are thrilled to see our Unified team step up and show their pride and support of the community, too,” he said.

Unified Bank provides contest incentives to its team members who contribute to the United Way through the payroll program. Drawings are held that provide gift cards to the winners in each category.