Relyance Bank supports the community and our schools through opportunities to sponsor educational events and programs that make a difference. The Annual Character Book Parade at Western Hills Elementary in Little Rock promotes literacy and lets students immerse themselves in the joys of reading. The annual event features a student-run parade with book-themed floats, costumes and dance performances.
It all started three years ago during a storytime reading "Balloons Over Broadway", which tells the history of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, when Coach Amy Kennedy had an idea. “I said, "We should do our own parade", then I saw a teacher's cart and said, "We can make floats out of carts!" From there the ideas came to life. From the first parade until now, we still read the same book so that kids have the reference for the parade, and we allow each class to read and vote on a book for their class. Once the book is chosen, we bring it to life through cart decorations, costumes, a musical performance, and banner decorations. All of which are designed and created by the students.”
Our Central Arkansas market associates, Paula Styers, Jennifer Johnston, Russ Martin, Kate Barlow, and David Straessle joined in the fun and were in attendance as parade-watchers. Relyance Bank sponsored the event by donating books which helped Western Hills expand by two additional classes and allowed every student in attendance to receive a keepsake from the parade.
Communities Rely on Us.