Bentley’s Buddies named recipient of 2022 GBC Bank Christmas Party Charity Raffle

During the course of each year GBC staff have the opportunity to pay $1 to wear jeans on Fridays and Saturdays during the work day. Prior to the bank’s annual Christmas party employees also have an opportunity to purchase chances on raffle items. All proceeds of the denim day donations and charity raffle tickets sales are tallied and presented to a worthy organization determined earlier in the year. The recipient of the 2022 GBC Bank Christmas Party Charity Raffle and denim days fundraiser was Bentley’s Buddies of Hancock County with a check presentation of $4,500.

Bentley’s Buddies and Friends (BBF) is a 501(c)3 organization in Hancock County that provides free reading assistance to children from Pre-K through 8th grade by pairing them with a furry reading buddy. BBF takes certified Reading Buddies into schools for students to read to them. A Reading Buddy creates a fun and relaxing learning environment for the students.

How does a certified Reading Buddy make a difference?

A certified Reading Buddy provides a non-threatening, non-judgmental and calm environment for the child to read. A child will often read more freely to a Reading Buddy than to a human. A Reading Buddy will not tell them they are wrong if they make a mistake. BBF uses the animal’s natural behavior to reinforce a child during reading. The Reading Buddy may lay right next to the reader or gently place his paw on the reader’s lap as if to say “Great Job!”. The Reading Buddies and their owners become part of the classroom. The children look forward to reading to their special friends and always try their best when reading to them.

For more information about Bentley’s Buddies:

https://www.bentleysbuddies.com

https://www.facebook.com/bentleysbuddiesandfriend