In the fall of 2013, Heartland Bank cemented a ‘preferred banking partner’ relationship with the Columbus Crew SC. When then-president Mark McCullers announced the agreement, he said ‘This partnership is a great opportunity for the Crew to support a like-minded and locally based community asset.’ Like minded? Heartland Bank thrives on building strong local relationships. Locally based community asset? We’ve been in business since 1911 and with 13 locations in central Ohio, we’ve established a tradition of service to local communities.

The third annual Summer Jam Music & Arts Festival will take place from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. this Saturday, July 16, at Westgate Park. The theme for this year’s festival is ‘Fantastic Food Garden’ and you’ll find local bands, artists, food trucks, craft artisans, and kids’ activities for everyone in the family! To coincide with that theme, festival organizers will be encouraging awareness of healthy eating, and back yard/community gardening. Partnering businesses will have fun activities for kids that involve vegetables and fruits and the children’s art zone which will focus on fruit and vegetable themed crafts. Kids can even stop in the Heartland Hospitality Tent and pick up a dirt cup and lettuce seeds to plant and nurture at home.

The Victory Ministries Center for Hope, a new social services hub that offers low-income families a food pantry, a free clothing shop, counseling, medical care and children’s tutoring, opened with great fanfare in Whitehall last week. Following the purchase of a former shopping center in 2013, Executive Director Lloyd Craycroft began the arduous task of fundraising to pay for renovations, programming and debt repayment. The new 1500 sf facility, at 3964 E. Main Street, replaces their former center on Switzer Road in east Columbus.

On July 4, 1776, our founding fathers claimed independence from Great Britain and democracy was born in this great land. Every year about this time, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with family gatherings, picnics and community events. Here at Heartland Bank, we’ll be right there with you, celebrating every step of the way. We’re proud to be a part of the communities in which we serve and look forward to seeing you this weekend in the city parks, high school stadiums and parade routes all around Columbus and central Ohio.

The Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival (CBJF) is a three day cultural celebration featuring hundreds of musicians, delicious cuisine, artisans from the region, amusement rides and engaging family activities. The event started seventeen years ago as a one-day dedication of Gahanna’s new Creekside Park area and the beginning of Olde Gahanna’s revitalization. The Festival has experienced unprecedented growth in attendance and has truly become more than the celebration of music, food and fun; it has become a premiere family summer event.