Kish Bank Honors Local Humanitarian and Nonprofits at Annual “Kish Celebrates Community” Event

April 30, 2026

PRESS RELEASE

STATE COLLEGE, PA – Kish Bank was proud to host its ninth Kish Celebrates Community event Monday at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College, welcoming more than 300 community leaders, nonprofit partners, volunteers, and friends from across the Central Pennsylvania region. The annual event celebrates the people and organizations strengthening the region and affirms Kish’s commitment to investing time, talent, and resources in the communities it serves.

The program opened with remarks from Executive Chairman Bill Hayes, who reflected on the region’s unique “Pride in Place”—the enduring way local people show up for one another, invest in their communities, and choose to make a difference over time.

The keynote was delivered by Penn State Head Football Coach Matt Campbell, who shared insights on leadership, purpose, and building something meaningful. Campbell reflected on professional opportunities he has had in other places and emphasized why this community—and the values it represents—felt like the right fit for his family.

Humanitarians of the Year Award

A signature moment of the night was the presentation of Kish’s Humanitarian of the Year Award to Blair County native Steve Sheetz (posthumously) and his wife, Nancy Sheetz. In honoring the Sheetz legacy, Kish recognized the family’s decades of service and leadership that continue to strengthen local families, expand educational opportunities, and advance economic vitality and quality of life across Central Pennsylvania and beyond.

Humanitarians of the Year presented to Steve Sheetz (posthumously), Lee Hite, Family Friend, Nancy Sheetz with Bill Hayes

Outstanding Nonprofit of the Year Award

Kish presented its Outstanding Nonprofit of the Year Award to Special Olympics Pennsylvania, recognized for its Summer Games hosted annually in State College and for its year-round impact on athlete development and community wellbeing. Beyond competition, Special Olympics Pennsylvania was commended for advancing health equity through athlete health screenings, fitness initiatives, and nutrition education, helping ensure individuals with intellectual disabilities have access to care, support, and opportunity.

Outstanding Nonprofit of the Year recipients Special Olympics Pennsylvania with Greg Hayes.

Other Highlights

Kish also celebrated the growth and impact of Kish for the Cure, its annual employee-led fundraising effort, which raised a record-breaking $103,000 in 2025 and has cumulatively raised more than $728,000 to support local individuals and families facing cancer. That impact will continue to grow in scope through Kish’s newly established Kish Community Foundation, which was proudly announced at the event.

The Bank highlighted the continued success of its community gifting program in partnership with Giv Local, which directed $64,000 to 133 organizations in 2025 through the support of more than 200 local businesses—demonstrating what’s possible when communities and commerce reinvest together.

To close the evening, Kish celebrated the resounding spirit of service across its own organization. Collectively, Kish employees contributed more than 10,800 volunteer hours across the Bank’s five-county footprint in 2025—an extraordinary reflection of the team’s shared commitment to giving back. 

Kish Bank proudly recognized Crystal Himes, Vice President and Residential Lender for Blair County, as the 2026 Kish Community Impact Award recipient. For more than 23 years, Himes has led the Bellwood Blue Angels Christmas program, mobilizing businesses, schools, and volunteers to provide hundreds of children and families with gifts and essential items that restore dignity. Himes has served as President of the Bellwood-Antis School District Foundation for more than 20 years, supporting teachers, funding programs, and expanding opportunities for students. She also founded Helping Hands of Tyrone, a nonprofit that supports people in crisis, including veterans, foster children, and families rebuilding after loss. Helping Hands has surpassed $1 million in client aid since its inception.

“Crystal represents the very best of who we are,” said Greg Hayes. “Her dedication, compassion, and consistency are a powerful reminder that one person, committed over time, can change lives for generations.”

Kish Community Impact Award recipient Crystal Himes with Greg Hayes

About Kish Bank

Kish Bank is a $1.9 billion regional community bank that operates 20 locations, serving Centre, Mifflin, Huntingdon, Blair, and Juniata counties in Pennsylvania, as well as northeastern Ohio. Other business units of Kish Bank include Kish Insurance, Kish Financial Solutions, Kish Benefits Consulting, and Kish Travel. Kish Bank is a subsidiary of Kish Bancorp, Inc., trading under the OTCQX stock ticker symbol of KISB. Kish Bank is an Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. For more information, please visit MyKish.com.

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