“Children laughing, people passing, meeting smile after smile. And on ev’ry street corner you’ll hear,
silver bells, silver bells…”
The words from that classic carol echo our feelings as we mark the 25th anniversary of COUNTRY Financial in the Western Region. This is truly a special day as we celebrate our growth not only as a business but also as part of the Salem, Ore. community where our regional office calls home.
[John Jolliff is the regional vice president of Operations for COUNTRY in Salem, Ore.]
A company’s success is about more than numbers—it’s about bringing “smile after smile” by making a difference in the communities where we live and work. Over these past 25 years, our employees have had fun raising hundreds of thousands of dollars and volunteering to help dozens of local organizations and programs that support families and make life better for so many people.
One of our longtime community partners has been the Boys & Girls Club. Each year, our employees purchase presents for its kids as part of our holiday gift drive. To help make the holidays a little happier and fuller for these kids’ families this year, we also donated $25 gift cards to a local grocery store as part of our 25th anniversary celebration.
You can help us spread even more holiday cheer by leaving a comment below on this post. It’s simple. Tell us how you’ve helped make your community better. For each comment we receive through Dec. 25, COUNTRY will donate $5 to the Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk Counties (up to $1,500) to benefit even more families in our community.
We are so thankful for the wonderful friendships we’ve formed over these past 25 years. We plan to continue and grow our commitment to the community and families by helping them become more financially secure as we ring in the next 25 years and beyond.
Please leave a comment and share this post with your friends and family so we can make it the happiest of holidays.
On behalf of our entire team at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce we congratulate the Western Region of COUNTRY Financial on 25 years!
A wonderful accomplishment and we thank you for the commitment you make to providing sound financial services to those throughout our region. Our best to your entire team!
Sincerely,
Jason Brandt
Chief Executive Officer
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce
I have helped make our community better by volunteering on a regular basis at my children’s elementary school. I enjoy helping in the classroom and seeing the kids improve on their reading skills.
I have also worked at the Boys & Girls Club for the past 19 years helping youth succeed in life.
Congratulations to a great insurance company that takes great care of its customers and its community. We are proud to have Country Financial as a Member company and value the opportunity to work with fine leaders like Mr. Jolliff.
Congratulations to all of us on 25 years of success, and 25 years of being a great corporate citizen in our community!
By working with the United Way Campaign every year, helping to coordinate the COUNTRY Kids Relays, and serving on our Regional Contributions Committee, I am so fortunate to see, first hand, the differences we make in our community.
We can all be very proud of the reputation of COUNTRY throughout the Willamette Valley.
Happy Anniversary!
I really enjoy giving back to my community by coaching my daughter’s t-ball team.
Congratulations Western Region on 25 years!
I have been a financial sponsor of the United Way and Boys and Girls Club of Salem. These are two great community based organizations that provide so many needed services to families, kids and individuals in needs.
I appreciate and am proud to work for a company that is willing to share their resources within our local community.
I volunteer every year with several other employees for the COUNTRY Kids Relays to give the children something to look forward to participating in every year. I am happy to be part of the COUNTRY Financial team! Congratulations on 25 years!
As a employee of the Western Region, I just want to say that this is a great company to work for. The help they provide for the community programs is wonderful and very much appreciated. Congratulations on our 25th Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary Western Region!
I was lucky to move with Country to the Western Region 5 years ago. It has been wonderful being a part of the Volunteer Steering Committee to help employees recognize areas of need in our community. From serving meals at the mission to participating in Relay for Life to cleaning the beaches along the Pacific Ocean, we have many employees committed to helping make our local community and world a better place!
Congrats Country for 25 years!! & Happy Holidays to all at Country and the Boys & Girls Club!
For many years, my husband and I have fished at Cascade Gateway Park. Thank you for the opportunity to express our thanks for the fun by helping to clean up the park. I will do this again.
I teach art literacy at our local elementary school, helping children to realize their potential and the joy of creation.
I’m also a Cub Scout leader, trying to teach my den how to do their duty to God and their country, and to help other people.
Congrats COUNTRY on 25 years of excellent service to your clients and the community!
Congratulations to COUNTRY on 25 years in the Western Region! I am proud to work for a company that gives back to the community all year long, and it is especially nice to see this time of year.
As a family, we always try to do something for others less fortunate and take away some of the “me” focus that can so easily overtake kids this time of year.
Congratulations COUNTRY on 25 years in the Western Region! I am very proud to work for a company that cares and gives so much back to the community.
The Boys & Girls Club is an excellent organization and is really needed in our community. I support the club financially, but I also volunteer my time – it is money and time well spent.
Congratulations COUNTRY on 25 years in the Western Region.
thank you
Its great to work for a company that cares about the community and its kids.
Thanks COUNTRY and congratulations for 25 years.
I’ve had a chance to watch our local youth grow as people the last 11 years. This year’s seniors were my first group of 1st graders that I started working with at the Boys and Girls Club. It’s been an honor to watch them turn into the leaders they have become at their schools, on their sports teams, in the classroom, and in their community. Thank you Country for all you to to help people like myself working in organizations like the Boys and Girls Club to better their lives! Happy 25 years!
I help count money from the Salvation Army kettles.
Congratulations Country on 25 years!!
I began to volunteer through an event at work. It’s been over two years now, and my children and I continue to serve meals one weekend a month at a soup kitchen.
As I personally give thanks this year, I am blessed to be part of Country’s family, as it has given me the opportunity to reach out to others and create awareness of those in need.
I am on the board of the Boys & Girls club of Salem. I donate my time and resources helping the club throughout the year. I am also a member of the Rotary club of Salem and serve on their board of directors.
I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to serve as a member of the Boys & Girl’s Club Board of Directors for 31 years. I’ve never received as much for my investment as I have from the youth we serve there.
Congratulations to Country Company on your anniversary, and for all you do for the Salem Community! Salem is a wonderful place to live, work, and volunteer. I have been fortunate to be involved with the Boys and Girls Club, the Willamette Humane Society, Linfield College (go Wildcats), the Salem Hospital Foundation, and our daughter’s elementary school (go Candalaria!). Hats off to everyone who gives their time, money and support to make our community shine!
In an effort to improve our community, my business and I contribute regularly and provide volunteer time to several nonprofit organizations whose goals and objectives we support.
Congratulations Country Financial!
I am a proud volunteer of the Boys and Girls Club. The dedication of its staff, board and volunteers is remarkable! Thanks for your support!
Congratualtions on 25 years! Community Support is very important to Columbia Bank and me personally. This past year I helped both the Boys and Girls Club and Marion Polk Food Share directly in fundraising campaigns.
While my children were in the Salem Keizer public school system I was a classroom volunteer , coach and mentor. I have sat on boards for CASA, Salem Hospital, MPYDental Hygiene Association, Stand For Children, Neighbor Hood Dental Program and Salem Keizer Dental Health Solutions Program. I currently am honored to be on the Boys &Girls Club Board of Directors and would like to thank you Country Financial for all you do for the kids in our clubs and communities. What a silver lining you give to their often cloudy lives. And please accept my congratulation on your Silver Anniversary. Celebrate your wonderful and giving years with deserving pride and joy.
As a board member for the Boys & Girls Club, let me say thank you for supporting our organization as part of your celebration of 25 years. Congratulations!
Congratulations on 25 years of smiles. An amazing accomplishment.
The board of directors and staff of the United Way is so very grateful for your enduring support during our annual campaign as well as your many contributions to the community.
Here’s to another successful 25 years!
Terianne
Nice work John and all employees of Countrywide. I have strong ties to the Chamber of Commerce and consistently work towards improving the economic viability of our business community. Participation on numerous non-profit boards is also my way of helping Salem move in a positive direction.
Happy 25th Anniversary!! What a fantastic place to work, with fantastic people!!
The Boys and Girls Club touches the lives of many Salem area kids, instilling self-confidence, a sense of community, and a place to belong. Thank you Boys and Girls Club for the important work you do.
I have enjoyed reading for the kids on read across America day, dealing cards at the graduation alcohol free party and coaching little league football for the Boys and Girls Club. I have been volunteering since I was a boy scout 45years ago
Happy 25th Anniversary!!
I have worked for the Boys & Girls Club for the past 8 years, but have been with the Salem club for 5 years now. The Boys & Girls Club of Salem is something that I feel very blessed to be a part of.
One of my personal passions is photography. I volunteer for the Heart Gallery of Oregon as a photographer and take photos of youth in foster care that are looking for a forever home.
I helped organize a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club to get a new bumperpool table.
I have been fortunate to be involved with the Boys and Girls club through many changes for over 35 years in addition to helping Habitat for Humanity and several other organizations with my time and dollars.
I give back to the community by keeping our elderly neighbor’s yard cleaned up. She can’t do it any longer but enjoying looking out the window,
Congratulations on 25 years of serving clients and giving back to communities.
Congratulations Country! And thank you for your commitment to our community – I love watching your community support grow year after year.
The Boys and Girls Club of Salem, Marion/Polk Counties is my charity of choice. I’ve been a passionate (and shameless) volunteer for the last 20 or so year in raising money and other activities for the 10,400- plus kiddos we serve each year. While I also volunteered on the state Fish and Wildlife Commission and on several judicial campaigns during that time, helping the kiddos is by far the most rewarding. By far. Thank you, Country, for caring too and for stepping up. Holiday blessings to all.
Congratulations to the Western Region on 25 years – glad that I was able to be part of a few of those years! Spent good years in Salem helping out through the Volunteer Steering Council, giving time and money to Golden Bond (golden retriever rescue organization), Family Building Blocks, and United Way. COUNTRY and its employees truly are an asset to the Salem community – keep up the outstanding efforts!
Very Proud of the WR and all the people that work there. What you do in your community is outstanding. Keep up the great work! You are proving what I already knew…it is a pleasure working with each of you.
I started a 5K run/walk in my town to raise money for the Special Olympics.
I am so blessed to be a part of Country Financial and to work with so many wonderful people in the Western Region.
Thank you Boys and Girls Club for being such a positive and safe place for the youth in our community.
Happy Anniversary! Volunteering is important and I help my Girl Scout Troups (Brownies and Juniours) in my community to understand the importance of volunteering, we help out our local food bank by providing food drives and “Birthday Boxes” that include decorations and cake supplies to a child, provide personal supplies for the homeless, we bell ring every Christmas, adopt a local family to provide Christmas gifts, work with Project Linus, clean our local river banks and parks for Earth Day, and so much more. Our troup is Community Service driven and our goal is to help our girls be community leaders and understand the importance of giving back.
Congratulations Western Region on 25 years!
What a wonderful way to celebrate.
Country was a wonderful place to work for 15 years and I see it continues. Now that I’m retired, I volunteer at Hope Station Community Services, Inc.; a food & clothing bank for working families who make too much money for food stamps. Check us out at http://www.hopestationcsi.com.
Blessings to all of you & Merry Christmas to all my friends at Country!
Congratulations and happy 25th anniversary! What a great way to celebrate!
Congratulations on 25 years!
Happy 25th anniversary, Western Region! Donating to the Boys and Girls Club is a wonderful way to commemorate it.
My kids are grown now, but it is great to have programs to keep kids in the giving spirit. Community involvement is so important. Congrats on 25 years, and have a great holiday season.
The Western Regional Office is a great place to work. I have had the privilage of knowing and working with the best co-workers in the company! Country Financial is dedicated to being a excellent community partner in the Salem Area!
Congrats on 25 yrs! Boys & Girls Club is a great organization. Myself and some co-workers from the Home Office are hosting a Christmas party at the Bloomington club tomorrow. There will be approx 75-80 kids in attendance. I am also very involved in the local Back to School program in Bloomington-Normal, serving as event coordinator for next year. We supply backpacks and school supplies to any child in the community that is on the free or reduced lunch program at their school. They are distributed a week or 2 before school starts at a Back To School Party which we hold at US Cellular Coliseum. We handed out in excess of 1900 backpacks and served over 3000 people a light meal and had a Resource fair for the parents with almost 25 local agencies participating. It was a wonderful evening! Several volunteers from Country were involved. If anyone is interested in a year-end tax deduction, this is sponsored by Mid Central Community Action, a 501C3 org and they will accept donations on our behalf. We will be purchasing 1200-1500 backpacks and supplies for the 2012-13 school year! Merry Christmas!
Congratulations on 25 years!
Thanks for being Angels here on Earth and Congratulations on 25 years!!!
Congratulations on 25 years!!
I am proud to work at COUNTRY.
Supporting the boys and girls club is a great way to celebrate this milestone. I give back to our community by delivering meals on wheels.
Happy 25th Anniversary WR! I’m so proud to work for a company with such a committment to it’s employees and to our community. Thank you for using this celebration as yet another opportunity to make a positive impact.
Congratulations on celebrating 25 years! And – I am proud to say I work for COUNTRY Financial! A local non-profit organization referred to COUNTRY as a hidden gem in the community. We all consider it our privilege to give back to the community.
Merry Christmas.
Congratulations Western Region! What a great way to commemorate the celebration. I give back in my community by helping out The Baby Fold, the local Chamber of Commerce and at my daughters’ junior high.
Congratulations on 25 successful years! I’m always pleased to hear about community giving. Over the past 45 years, I have volunteered with the Boys & Girls Club, the County Recreations Department, the United Way, the Boy Scouts (including being a Cub Scout leader), the Veterans’ Rehab Center, Special Olympics, and many other local programs for children and at-risk families. I have done fund raising for the United Way, organized Adopt-a-Family campaigns, personally delivered many meals, toys, gifts, and money to needy people and families and never tire of the relief and joy it helps to bring to the lives of people who are struggling to survive. I have also been on the other side of these types of programs as a person who suddenly became homeless with 5 children or other family support. It made ALL the difference to us in again becoming contributors to our community as we got back on our feet. I encourage everyone to reach out to help others no matter how little you feel you might have yourself. Very little giving can bring very big rewards for the giver as well as the receiver and bring salvation to all.
Congrats on 25 years!
What a wonderful way to celebrate 25 years – congratulations Western Region. I like to give back by supporting United Way and the food pantry in my hometown.
Congratulations on a wonderful 25 years! I’m very proud to be part of a company of people whose goal is to give to and improve the communities in which we live.
A blessed Christmas and Holiday season to all!
Congratulations WR on 25 wonderful years!! What a pleasure it has been to be a part of that history, and to see the growth and positive influence COUNTRY has had in this community. As a parent I have fond memories of my son participating in various sports and other events provided through the Boys and Girls Club, of volunteering, the staff, and of the incredible impact the Boys and Girls Club has on so many lives. Thank you!!
Hello Western Region,
Congratulations on this milestone anniversary. Keep up the great work…and pizza parties.
Congratulations on hitting the 25th. I’d like to thank Country for donating to the Boys and Girls Club. In doing so Country is making a great impact on the communities we all reside in. Thanks again!
Your support of youth development in Salem is a model for others to follow. Thank you very much for your loyal and dedicated efforts!
Congratulations Country! And keep up the good work with the Boys and Girls Club of Marion and Polk Counties. The community is ever so lucky to benefit from this partnership and the children and families of both organizations are champions! Merry Christmas.
Congrats on 25 years!
Yeah Country! Supporting families for 25 years and growing!
I made a committment a few years ago to participate in at least two volunteer activities a month. Can’t think of a better way to celebrate 25 years in Salem than by helping local kids have a great holiday.
You’re a “Good Neighbor”! Thanks.
A great company donating to a great organization! Happy 25 years!
Congratulations COUNTRY on such a great success! Here is to another great 25 years!
What a wonderful accomplishment….25 years. The leadership and employees in the WRO are the best. Congratulations!!
Congratulations COUNTRY! Great way to celebrate!
Congrats to COUNTRY on 25 years of giving back to the communities that you serve so will.
Congratulations to COUNTRY for 25 years in the Western Region! I am very proud to work for a company that supports employees volunteer efforts throughout the comunity in which we live.
Country Insurance has always been a wonderful community partner! I’ve been able to help out in our community in a variety of ways and am very thankful for the opportunity!
First of all, thank you COUNTRY! It is such a blessing to be able to pass along the gifts that are donated to our Boys and Girls Club kids who need it the most.
I make my community a better place by working with teens in the T3: Training Teens for Tomorrow Program and helping them gain skills needed to graduate and become employable.
THANK YOU COUNTRY!! And congratulations on 25 years…we are so lucky!
Thank you COUNTRY and congratulations!
I help make our community better by teaching youth the benefits of education, community service and great work ethic. The Boys & Girls Club T3 program regularly involves teens in local volunteerism in order to invest them in their community and develop solid life skills.
Please accept my harty congradulations on 25 years of service to the Western Region of our company. The ” above the call of duty” support that you provide to your community is not a suprise to your fellow Country Representatives. We mearly accept this as part of The Country Culture.
Chip Bieber, Representative
Central Region
Congrats COUNTRY, such a great company to work for!
I worked at the B&G Club while in college and really enjoyed working with the kids there and being a role model for all of them. It was always fun to see their faces when they recieved gifts at Christmas!
My husband and I currently coach an ASA softball program in which we have three teams. It feels AMAZING to give back to these girls and see them grow as young women and athletes!
I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to spend the last 22 years working with some great people in the Western Regional Office. I spend my volunteer time helping out South Salem High School DECA program. I am always amazed to see the marketing and business projects that come from high school students, we will have some great future leaders in business thanks in part to COUNTRY’s support of the program!
Congrats to all of our loyal WR employees (both internal and in the field) for your service to COUNTRY.
Each of you really do make a difference to COUNTRY and the community!
25 years and still counting!
I have always valued supporting our local nonprofits financially and from a volunteer perspective. We have many great nonprofit organizations that are stretching themselves to keep pace with increased demand and that is making all the difference. Thanks to Country for helping be the foundation for many of those nonprofits.
Congratulations Western Regional Office on your anniversary and your continued support to the community! We wouldn’t know what to do without you all! You are definitely our backbone. Many more years of success in business, your life and community!
Thank you COUNTRY for setting an excellent example of what it means to give back to our community. You say it with your words, your actions, and your dollars.
Thank you country for helping to serve all of the Boys & Girls Club youth throughout the Marion and Polk Counties during the holidays!
I know the kids really appreciate it!
Happy 25th!
Congratulations Country Insurance on 25 years!
Every year the company I work for adopts a family in Salem and we try to make their Christmas the Best ever. We really enjoy giving back and helping others.
Thanks for all you do!
Congratulations Country and Thank You for all the work and support you continue to give that helps us at the Boys & Girls Club impact the youth of our community. I’m blessed to be a member of the amazing staff at the Boys & Girls Club of Salem.
Giving back to the community in which I live is a very rewarding part my life. I have worked with various non profits, the kids and grand kids schools and church. I tend to favor working with improving lives of children. My current favorite is The Boys and Girls Club of Salem.
Thanks Country Insurance for improving the life’s of children in the Salem area.
It was an honor being invited to join in the celebration. We appreciate the partnership with Country and look forward to another 25 years of continued success.
Congratulations on 25 years!!
I am proud to work at COUNTRY.
Supporting the boys and girls club is a great way to celebrate this milestone.
Great to see you, John, and so many COUNTRY staff! I was very impressed at how much community outreach you guys do!
We at Farm Bureau sure appreciate COUNTRY’s partnership and support of our efforts on behalf of Oregon’s farming and ranching families.
Happy holidays!
Thank you for helping out the community!
Thank you for helping out the community…
I help by coaching various sports in Salem as well as working with the Salem Sports and Breakfast club where we recognize outstanding student/athletes from the Salem area!
Thank you for donating to the Boys & Girls club and helping local families! It feels great to help and it really makes a difference in the community!
Congratulations on 25 years! The Boys & Girls Club is fortunate to have such a wonderful partner.
Congratulations Country and thank you for all you do for the community! As a proud employee of the Boys & Girls Club of Salem, I give back to my community by dedicating my career to the success of young people and the future of Salem. Merry Christmas!
Like Obama said we have to take care of the kids. They are our future.
Congrats on 25 years, Country, and thank you for celebrating your anniversary by supporting the Boys and Girls Club of Salem. Your community outreach efforts are commendable. I have several friends who work for Country, and am always impressed by their community involvement and volunteer activities.
Our family volunteers in several youth sports programs and participates in different volunteer activities throughout the year with our children.
Thank you, Country, for your generous community support.
To help make my community a better place, I visited the local middle school (which is the same middle school I attended) and I spoke to a group of troubled six and seventh graders.
I explained to them the importance of education and how no matter what dreams that they aspired to achieve; it could only be made feasible if they have an education. I also spoke to the teens about how to avoid the many temptations of peer pressure that promotes bad behavior.
I was honored to have had that opportunity and I have plans to continue to help youth in the future.
Thank you Country! I donate food to the local food banks.
I love the boys and girls club!!! Nish is the best.
Congratulations Western Region for 25 years!
On behalf of the board for our local Boys & Girls Club in Bloomington I wanted to give a BIG thank you for putting this together!
What a great post.
Congratulation Country on 25 yrs. in the western region.
As a volunteer coach for “Country Kids Relay” your company and all your employees efforts and time are greatly appreciated. You are all truly a gem to have in our community. Nothing feels better than to pay it forward to todays youth. Thank you!!!
This year to help make life a little bit easier for others, we donated to Heifer.org where our dollars contributed to purchase a ‘heifer” and to a “goat” to help children and families around the world receive training and animal gifts that help them become self-reliant.
It felt good to know that there’s a glass of rich milk for the children to drink before heading off to school. Classes are paid with the income from the sale of milk, and there’s even enough to share with the neighbors.
A good dairy cow can produce four gallons of milk a day – enough for a family to drink and share with neighbors. Milk protein transforms sick, malnourished children into healthy boys and girls. The sale of surplus milk earns money for school fees, medicine, clothing and home improvements.
What we really liked is every gift multiplies, as the animal’s first offspring is passed on to another family-then they also agree to pass on an animal, and so on.
And because a healthy cow can produce a calf every year, every gift will be passed on and eventually help an entire community move from poverty to self reliance. Now that’s a gift worth giving!
Enjoy the season of giving!
Thank you Country for your generous community support.
We donate our time to various charitable fundraising events.
My daughter and I volunteer for the Salvation Army bell ringing every year. It’s a great way to give back to the community.
I’m proud to be a small part of the growth and prosparity of the Northwest Region. I had a lot of great and very capable friends during my time there. Jim
Congratulations, Western Region, on your silver anniversary! And thank you for supporting the Boys and Girls Club.
Thank you COUNTRY for your support of organizations such as the COUNTRY Kids Relay, The Boys and Girls Club, local FFA chapters, and the United Way (to name a few).
My kids have participated in the COUNTRY Kids Relays. Now that my daughter is older, we both volunteer our time at this event.
I also volunteer my time as a board member for a local non-profit organization, help at my kids’ schools, volunteer with the Cub Scouts as well as support The United Way.
Congratulations on your 25th anniversary!
My name is country!!
Thank you for supporting the Boys and Girls Club! They do amazing work for the community! I feel fortune to have worked with the club for many years! I love to help them and give speeches to supporter about my amazing experience growing up through the club.
I also feel thankful for time to support my daughters kindergarten class once a week, helping teach at centers and prep for her class
Thank you for doing this for the club!
Congrats your 25th and thank you for your support of the Boys & Girls Club!
BGC changes lives…My husband Ken McBride was youth of the year in Salem years ago… late 80′s …I wish there were more clubs in the Seattle area. We donate every year to the North Salem club in some way. Great organization . Keep up the good work!!
Happy Anniversary! Great job supporting the Salem community, especially with COUNTRY Kids Relays!
Congrats on the 25 year Anniversary!
Thank you Country Insurance! Congratulations on 25 years.