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“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” - Pablo Picasso

This is a favorite quote of Melissa Maki, ’03, vice president and marketing communications director at .

“That gift can come in many forms: giving your time, talents or treasures to collectively aid in removing barriers, improving access and, overall, making things possible for students through education,” Maki said.

Through her stewardship, Middlefield Bank has served as a matching donor for �鶹��Ƶ������ȫ University’s Giving Tuesday campaign for six consecutive years. As a giving partner, Middlefield Bank has donated funds in support of emergency aid, research, education-abroad opportunities, degree completion and other needs at �鶹��Ƶ������ȫ University at Geauga and Twinsburg Academic Center. The community bank has directly pledged more than $14,000 through 2024 and helped raise much more as a matching donor.

As a result, Middlefield Bank has bolstered vital programs that improve students’ financial wellness and academic opportunities, including the Rising Scholars Program, the Last Dollar Scholarship, the new nursing lab, and the Student Emergency Fund, which helped �鶹��Ƶ������ȫ students facing unexpected costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Thanks to Middlefield Bank’s generosity, we’ve been able to help numerous students overcome obstacles to complete their college education through the Last Dollar Scholarship and the Student Emergency Fund,” says Angela Spalsbury, Dean and Chief Administrative Officer of �鶹��Ƶ������ȫ University Geauga and the Twinsburg Academic Center. “Their continued support of the Rising Scholars program is opening doors to college for more than thirty middle and high school students in our local districts, many of whom will be the first in their families to attend.”

“As a community bank, Middlefield Bank is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those in need and building stronger, more connected communities,” Maki explained. “Middlefield Bank is deeply rooted in Geauga County, and we are proud to give back to �鶹��Ƶ������ȫ Geauga and Twinsburg Academic Center students to support their futures for the betterment of their lives and our community.”

Unlike the commercially driven Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement that helps people and organizations transform their communities. Held throughout the month of November, �鶹��Ƶ������ȫ’s Giving Tuesday campaign is the university’s most generous annual tradition, and Middlefield Bank is supplying matching funds for the first $3,000 in donations to the �鶹��Ƶ������ȫ Geauga Rising Scholars Fund again this year. For instance, if an individual donates $25 to the fund, Middlefield Bank matches that amount, doubling the donation to $50. As part of the campaign, individual donations to the fund are also eligible for additional incentives throughout the month.

Middlefield Bank’s support of �鶹��Ƶ������ȫ Geauga and Twinsburg Academic Center exemplifies one its key guiding principles: People Helping People. The bank, which was established in Geauga County nearly 125 years ago, continues to foster relationships and maintain a tradition of local support. One of its largest categories in total donations for corporate and local giving focuses on the areas of education, schools, and financial wellness.

Education has always been a priority for Maki, who graduated from �鶹��Ƶ������ȫ in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in organizational communications and a minor in marketing. Her mother taught first grade for 40 years, and her father taught junior high and high school students for almost 30 years before his passing in 2002.

“While I did not follow in their footsteps to become a teacher, I volunteer in the classroom with United Way and Junior Achievement and have served as the parent teacher organization’s co-vice president for five years and as levy president at Lakeview Schools in Cortland. I have a passion for education, including financial wellness and social-emotional health for kids.” 

Maki’s role at the bank includes overseeing Middlefield Bank’s philanthropic giving. With the encouragement of bank leadership, she also serves on the following nonprofit boards: United Way of Greater Cleveland, United Way Services of Geauga County and United Way of Trumbull County; Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio; and Lakeview Parent Teacher Organization.

“Middlefield Bank strives to be a leader, advocate, and partner for the communities we serve,” she said. “We do this through charitable giving, volunteerism, and strong support for nonprofit and vital community organizations. I am so grateful for the ability Middlefield Bank has provided that allows me to personally and professionally impact children and families in the communities we serve.”

It is good business to do good. Maki adds that becoming a philanthropic partner with �鶹��Ƶ������ȫ Geauga and Twinsburg Academic Center unlocks new opportunities for you personally and for your business, as well as for those you support.

This November, community members, businesses and organizations can get involved as donors and fundraisers. Contact Rebecca Gierman, associate director of external relations at �鶹��Ƶ������ȫ Geauga and Twinsburg Academic Center, at rgierma1@kent.edu or (440) 834-3761 to discuss how to become a Giving Tuesday partner.