Raccoon Valley Bank and Habitat for Humanity of Dallas County have enjoyed a fruitful partnership over the years, and it just took a big step forward.

At a ceremony Thursday morning, the bank presented Habitat with a check for $15,000 to be used for the upcoming house project in Perry. Dallas County Habitat Outreach Coordinator Omar Padilla took some time out from work on the “Rock the Block” project they’re doing in Perry this week to accept the check. He said, “It goes a long way towards setting up a foundation for next year’s house that we’ll build. And so I know that there’s a family out there that’s really happy right now, because this is the beginning of what it will cost to build that house. So a big thank you to Raccoon Valley (Bank).”

Raccoon Valley Bank has donated money and provided volunteers to Habitat in the past. Matt McDevitt, Assistant Vice President of Commercial Lending for Raccoon Valley Bank, said because of that already successful partnership, they had no problem providing support. “This represents that bank’s commitment to building in the Perry community. So we’ve partnered with Dallas County Habitat for a number of years in a much smaller fashion. But with the footprint that Dallas County Habitat has in Perry specifically the last couple of years, with “Rock the Blocks,” and actually doing a home, and what they have planned the next several years, we’re excited to be a partner with that.”

The $15,000 donation was only the beginning, and Padilla says the bank has promised another $10,000 next year. He’s hopeful other local businesses and organizations will take the cue of Raccoon Valley Bank and see Habitat as a worthy cause to support.