After Carole Bentley survived cancer, she knew she wanted to
give back to people who were going through what she had experienced. That
passion for helping others drove her to volunteer with the American Cancer
Society, where she has worked on events including their gala fundraiser. Fortunately
for us, Bentley is also a firm advocate for United Way of the
Columbia-Willamette and its mission for our community. She has been donating to
United Way for her entire career, more than 35 years. She filled out a pledge
form at her very first job at First National Bank, and still gives today as the
senior vice president/Commercial Lending Center manager at Banner Bank in Lake
Oswego.
Along with her co-workers, Bentley is involved in the United
Way workplace giving campaign at Banner Bank. In 2012, Bentley’s branch had the
best-ever results for any local Banner Bank — their campaign total more than
tripled. That means more money going back to the community to create change.
Her advice for anyone involved in running a United Way campaign is to focus on
the human aspect and engage with employees. It’s important for potential donors
to understand that “someone you know might have been helped by United Way.”
Having lived in the Portland area for many years, Bentley
says that what she loves most about this community is that while it has all the
resources of a major metropolitan area, it has a small-town feel where everyone
knows and supports each other.
Bentley’s worked to make sure that her own values continue
in the next generation. She has two sons and taught them from an early age that
“when we’re lucky enough to not be hurting, we must help others who are. And,
if you can’t give money you can give time.”
Bentley says that she gives to United Way because she loves
the fact that 100 percent of her gift goes to help the community. “I like to
know where the money goes and I’ve always felt confident that when I give to
United Way the money will be used wisely.”
Thank you, Carole Bentley, for your 35 years of giving and
creating change in our community. We can do what we do only because of donors
like you.
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