As we stepped into the new year, January offered a meaningful reminder of why community is at the heart of everything we do at Liberty Savings Bank. From hands-on service and powerful stories of impact to educational events and local connections, the month set a strong foundation for a year focused on service, learning, and collaboration.
Related Article: Liberty Loves Local: Bringing Your Community Bank Out Into the Community
Investing in Education and Opportunity
January also gave us the opportunity to highlight the inspiring work of the Manatee Literacy Council. One woman’s journey through the program beautifully illustrated how access to language and education can change the course of a life—and ripple outward to strengthen families and entire communities. We are proud to support organizations that remove barriers, empower individuals, and create lasting change through education.
Planning Ahead, Made Approachable
Education took center stage at our Brunch & Learn: Life’s Next Steps event, where community members gathered for a relaxed, informative morning focused on planning for the future. With a delicious brunch setting the tone, trusted local professionals shared practical guidance on topics like senior financing, estate planning, retirement versus aging considerations, and elder law.
What made the event especially meaningful was its approachable format—no pressure, no jargon, just honest conversations and real-world insight. Our speakers, including Laura Gray from Liberty Savings Bank, Debbie Zipes and Dan Erickson from Venice Estate Sales, Wendy Rickenbach from Hometown Senior Solutions, and Joshua Perez from Berlin Patten, helped break down complex topics into clear, usable information. The goal was simple: to help attendees feel more confident and prepared for life’s next steps.
Strengthening Local Connections
We closed out the month by continuing to build relationships within our local business community. Lauren and Sally attended the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance January Networking Social hosted at RITE Technology, connecting with fellow professionals and exchanging ideas. Events like these highlight the strength of our local business network and the value of coming together to support one another.
Looking Ahead
January set a meaningful tone for the year ahead—one rooted in service, education, advocacy, and connection. From volunteering and supporting impactful local organizations to hosting educational moments and simply showing up for our neighbors, our focus remains on strengthening the communities we serve.
As we look ahead, we’re especially excited to bring that connection directly into the community through Liberty Loves Local pop-up events, coming soon to a favorite local spot near you in Sarasota and Manatee County. These pop-ups are just another way we’re meeting people where they are—supporting small businesses, sharing something special, and creating moments that bring our community together.
We’re grateful for all that January brought and energized by what’s ahead. Here’s to a year of continued collaboration, care, and community—right here at home.
