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Service Above Self Farmers & Merchants Bank knows all about investing for the long term and return on investment. Their focus goes far beyond helping people reach their financial goals.… Continue Reading
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Ways to Give
Farmers & Merchants Bank knows all about investing for the long term and return on investment.
Their focus goes far beyond helping people reach their financial goals. It’s also how they invest in communities and organizations like KidWorks.
That’s why we’re honored to recognize F&M Bank as our “Volunteer of the Quarter” for our first quarter of this new fiscal year.
We also give special thanks to Dan Biedscheid, Vice President & Branch Manager and Karen Cortez, Assistant Vice President and F&M Bank Foundation Coordinator. Both have been such valuable partners in their support of KidWorks over the years.
F&M Bank’s commitment to others is best said by how they describe their focus on serving the communities where they operate:
“F&M Bank is more than a financial institution — we’re a dedicated neighbor that strengthens the communities we call home. Our sense of purpose goes beyond profits. Each year we contribute to causes across Southern California who are fulfilling meaningful missions across various cause areas.”
David Benavides, KidWorks’ Chief Executive Officer, says F&M Bank’s partnership with KidWorks supports every part of our mission, vision, strategies and programs.
“KidWorks partnership with F&M Bank began in 2018 when local Santa Ana businessman and friend of KidWorks, Mike Harrah, introduced us to Henry Walker, F&M Bank’s Chief Executive Officer.”
David adds, “With many shared values, including living out our faith by serving others, Mr. Walker and the bank soon became friends and supporters of KidWorks. Our partnership has been growing over the many years.
“You’ll find people like Dan, Karen and bank staff at KidWorks volunteering at our Read Across America annual literacy event, our youth Thanksgiving feast, our after-school and summer programs and much more,” David says.
He adds, “Karen attended KidWorks programs throughout her elementary school years. She’s an example of the way we walk alongside our students from preschool to college and beyond towards meaningful careers.”
Cheryl Anderson, our Senior Grants Manager, says F&M’s financial support has been deeply appreciated as we welcome more students and operate four locations within Santa Ana.
“F&M’s financial gifts go such a long way towards allowing us to fund programs as wide ranging as our preschool to youth events,” Cheryl says. “The level of their generosity is remarkable.”
We’d like to share more about Dan and Karen and their heart for KidWorks and those we serve.
Dan’s support of KidWorks began in 2024 when he was named branch manager of the bank’s Santa Ana office at 17th Street and Cabrillo Park Drive.
That branch has been serving the community for 40 years.
“One of the bank’s founding principles of ‘Service Above Self’ is aligned with my personal values, including my faith,” Dan says. “It’s one of the reasons I chose to work at F&M.”
He adds, “My favorite part of volunteering at KidWorks is when the younger kids are full of wonderful questions like, ‘How are you so tall?’ ‘How much money do you keep at the bank?’ and ‘How old are you?’”
Dan and his team regularly volunteer at KidWorks events and enjoy the positive energy that participating brings. “My hopes and expectations are for my team and I to continue volunteering where needed to help KidWorks continue to further its mission,” he says.
“We feel that volunteering and involvement in the community that we serve is a privilege and part of all our jobs. It is something that makes F&M Bank unique.”
Dan Biedscheid, Vice President & Branch Manager
Dan sees the strong partnership between the bank and KidWorks continuing long into the future:
“I see the positive energy from the students and staff. It’s uplifting to be a part of something so impactful. KidWorks lets me know that I am contributing to our community in meaningful ways.”
While attending KidWorks during her elementary school years, Karen made sure to have the full KidWorks’ experience.
“I enrolled in the after-school programs and summer sessions,” Karen says. “I really enjoyed the computer lab; it was my first exposure to this technology. I also had so much fun at the Christmas celebrations.”
Growing up in the Townsend Street neighborhood of Santa Ana also had its challenges.
“Townsend is home to many families that are just getting by on the margins,” Karen says. “There is love in these homes but the resources are scarce. I remember playing with the neighborhood kids and continue to keep in touch with some of those neighbors.”
Motivated by her time at KidWorks, Karen graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2018, earning a political science degree.
Karen has worked at F&M for four years. In her role, she coordinates and supports the bank’s community outreach efforts, including grant making programs, employee volunteer events and financial education partnerships.
This is how Karen describes her dreams for KidWorks:
“I’d like to see KidWorks continue its impact and expand into more neighborhoods across Santa Ana. By pouring into Santa Ana youth, KidWorks is not only changing the trajectory of their lives but also the future of the city. The youth will go on and give back to the community that poured into them – as I have. The future is bright for Santa Ana!”
Karen Cortez, Assistant Vice President and F&M Bank Foundation Coordinator
Please join all of us at KidWorks in applauding our Volunteer of the Quarter and thanking F&M Bank, Dan and Karen for their generosity, kindness and positive impact on the children, youth and families we serve.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer
Every year, KidWorks offers dozens of opportunities to join us in walking alongside students from Pre-K to B.A. Engage your company today by visiting https://kidworksoc.org/partners/ .