Chelsea State Bank recently announced Vice President, Commercial Lender Jim Wolfington recently received the Kiwanis Hixson Fellowship Award.
The Kiwanis Children’s Fund is an organization that helps kids around the world. Local clubs look out for their communities and the international organization takes on large-scale challenges, such as fighting disease and poverty.
In 1983, the Kiwanis Children’s Fund established the George F. Hixson Fellowship. Named for Kiwanis International’s first president, Hixson Fellowships are awarded to donors who give US$1,000 or more to the Children’s Fund. It’s a way of recognizing people who have contributed significantly to Kiwanis’ history of generosity.
“Jim is a brilliant commercial lender and an unassuming community advocate,” said Chelsea State Bank President and CEO Joanne Rau in a press release. “Jim exemplifies everything this award is intended to recognize, particularly his involvement in making our communities a better place for our families to live and our businesses to thrive.”
Wolfington joined Chelsea State Bank in 2007. He began his banking career more than 30 years ago at the Bank of Galesburg (now First Midwest Bank), Galesburg, Illinois. Moving to Michigan in 1988, Wolfington also worked as a commercial lender at National Bank of Detroit (now Chase) and the Bank of Ann Arbor.
Earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Knox College, Galesburg, Ill., Wolfington also earned his Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.
Fondly called the “community banker” by his peers and fellow Kiwanians, it’s apparent by the time and energy Wolfington puts into the community he serves. Wolfington is well known for the work he does to help secure affordable housing in Washtenaw County.
In 2018, he was the recipient of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBI) Community Spirt Award for his work in community housing, particularly with Avalon Housing. The Community Spirt Award is given annually to the top community banker in Michigan and Indiana combined.
Joining the Ann Arbor Kiwanis Club in 2004, Wolfington is an active Kiwanian evolving into the Sales Chair and sitting on the Investment Committee. He is also the treasurer of Lurie Terrace, an Ann Arbor senior apartment community, and serves on the Ann Arbor Community Board of Ele’s Place, a not-for-profit organization to support grieving children. He formerly sat on the Boards of Directors at Michigan Ability Partners and the Humane Society of Huron Valley.
“It is an honor to receive this award from my fellow Kiwanians,” said Wolfington. “Supporting our community is important to me. Kiwanis is an organization where we care about making a difference in our community, and we care about each other, too. It’s very rewarding.”
Born and raised in St. Louis, MO, Wolfington and his husband now reside in Ann Arbor.
About Kiwanis International
Kiwanis International is a global community of clubs, members and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children one community at a time. Today, there are more than 550,000 members from K-Kids to Key Club to Kiwanis and many ages in between in 80 countries and geographic areas. Each community has different needs, and Kiwanis empowers members to pursue creative ways to serve the needs of children, such as fighting hunger, improving literacy and offering guidance. Kiwanis clubs host nearly 150,000 service projects each year.
In 2016, the Kiwanis International Foundation changed its name to the Kiwanis Children’s Fund to better reflect the mission of serving children.
About Chelsea State Bank
Chelsea State Bank is a full-service financial institution with offices in Chelsea and Dexter. The Bank was formed over 100 years ago by local business leaders to provide timely financial solutions to individuals, families and businesses in the community. This tradition of community service continues today. For more information, please call 734-475-1355 or visit www.chelseastate.bank.
Member FDIC.
