Since 1985, Mabrey Bank has contributed to a matching challenge with the Bixby Educational Endowment Foundation (BEEF) in partnership with Bixby Public Schools. Started by former bank president George L. Brown and the then-named Citizens Security Bank, the donation has matched through BEEF’s annual donation drive – the Century Club. Mabrey’s challenge has always been met, allowing the bank to support its hometown teachers and students for decades through the Foundation, which awards Teacher Grants and Scholarships for Bixby’s graduating seniors.
When it started 38 years ago, that matching contribution was $10,000 and eventually grew to $15,000, where it has remained for the better part of 20 years. On Thursday night, Mabrey Bank was recognized as a “Spartner” of Bixby Public Schools and was excited in return to surprise the Bixby Educational Endowment Foundation at the Bixby School Board meeting by increasing its gift to $20,000.
Representatives from Mabrey Bank, including BEEF Board members Carlisle Mabrey IV, Pam Phillips and Erin Melton, were on hand to present the donation to Bixby Public Schools Superintendent Rob Miller.
“For 38 years, Mabrey Bank has worked hand-in-hand with the Bixby Educational Endowment Fund to support and partner with the teachers and students at Bixby Public Schools,” said Carlisle Mabrey III, Executive Chairman for Mabrey Bank. “Bixby has been the home of Mabrey Bank for almost a century and throughout the decades, we have been proud to invest back into the next generation of leaders, right in our own backyard. We love seeing how our support impacts our teachers and students and are excited to increase our contribution towards this matching challenge.”
Last year, over $209,000 was awarded to teachers and graduating students. Teacher grants for this school year included a wide range of classroom materials from musical instruments, praying mantis incubators, a weaving loom, block printing press, wheelchair swing, gym equipment, classroom novel sets, a wood workbench, and aqua sprout gardens to Lego, math games, and engineering centers. Grants were awarded across all of Bixby’s campuses from PreK to High School.