Florence, SC. For more than three years, Mary Neale Fowler and other associates of First Reliance have been participating in activities such as reading to children and funding teacher appreciation requests at Delmae Heights Elementary School.

Now the school and the bank have made an official commitment to ensuring the success of all students.

Through this partnership, associates at First Reliance Bank read to children on a regular basis through its Rocking Chair Readers program.

Brandis Winstead, guidance counselor at Delmae, said she would collaborate with Fowler in terms of getting volunteers and teachers set up for special events or activities.

"This partnership really validates the important of the public school system," she said. "The children love it when they have people come, and it's something they need."

Winstead said some bank associates are paired with teachers in the classroom while others serve as mentors.

Rick Saunders, president and CEO of First Reliance Bank, said partnerships such as this one at Delmae serve as an important way for business leaders to interact with students and take their support beyond donations.

"Making a difference in the community we serve is important to our bank," Saunders said. "Our philosophy is simple: We feel it is important to do good, while doing well."

Saunders said Fowler and Amanda Todd, another bank associate are responsible for coordinating volunteer activities at the school. He said he is pleased with the overall response generated by the associates.

Principal Roy Ann Jolley said it is exciting to be part of such a school-business partnership and it's a wonderful opportunity for building community relationships. She said she feels fortunate to have the support and commitment of First Reliance.

Todd said she helped with a student banking program that was recently developed to teach children the importance of savings. Bank associates help students open a student account with their parents' permission. Students also receive a piggy bank to begin their own personal savings.

Jolley said the concept of money is one of the most difficult concepts to teach students until they learn through real-life experiences. This program allows students to have a hands-on experience with money and that experience helps them with math standards at each grade level, she said.

Todd said the bank also will provide 150 checkbooks to all students in the fourth grade so those students will learn how to write checks and maintain a balance.