All locations of Bank Independent are now accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys for area children through Dec. 6 as part of the bank’s ninth annual Toy Share drive.

“The generosity of our friends and neighbors makes a huge impact in the lives of children in our own communities,” said Macke Mauldin, president and CEO of BancIndependent Inc., the parent company of Bank Independent. “Every year seems to build on the success of the previous one. I’m confident this year we’ll make Christmas morning brighter for more families than ever before.”

In the inaugural year of Toy Share, Bank Independent branches across the region collected 1,500 toys for children in need. In 2018 the bank’s Toy Share drive provided more than 3,275 toys and more than $1,016 in cash donations to partner organizations in time for distribution to local families for Christmas.

In Franklin County, donation bins are available at all branch locations – in downtown Russellville, the branch on the highway and the two branches in Red Bay.

Charitable organizations distributing Toy Share donations include a number of agencies across the region. In Franklin County, toys are distributed through the Department of Human Resources.

Toy Share is the last of four annual Share drives hosted by Bank Independent in 2019 to give back to the community as part of Bank Independent’s Helping Hands initiative.