Horizon Bank helps those in need across Northern Indiana for Horizon Cares Day 2026

Horizon Bank closed all locations for the day on Tuesday, September 22, sending employees from numerous branches to volunteer for organizations across northern Indiana, from Crown Point to Elkhart, for their fourth annual Horizon Cares Day.

Horizon employees helped several causes throughout Horizon Cares Day. Their Valparaiso branch volunteered for the Hilltop Neighborhood House, a nonprofit that supports community children, providing them with meals, education, and after school care in a safe environment. Another branch near Elkhart supported Soup of Success, a program dedicated to empowering women, helping them find confidence they may have lost.

Horizon Cares Day is important for the entire company from the top down. The bank’s upper management and CEO came up with the idea years ago, with the goal of supporting the different communities they operate in. Employees of local branches, too, believe strongly in the importance of helping out these local causes. Faye Sepke, assistant vice president branch manager of Horizon’s Crown Point Branch, shares the passion for this company value.

“I think it’s always important for people to be involved in their community,” Sepke said. “I think it’s great that the bank gives us that opportunity to help these organizations that are always looking for people to help and volunteer. It’s good for the community, it’s good for the bank, and it’s good for the people in need.”

Horizon’s Crown Point Branch was hosted by Community Help Network, a nonprofit that provides food and resources to underprivileged families. They worked on the Help Network’s Buddy Bags program for the day. Employees sat together at a table, assembling little Halloween-themed craft kits that would be delivered, alongside meals, to families in need. Small acts of good, such as the ones performed on Horizon Cares Day, are examples of the effect that people can have on their community simply by volunteering for a day.

Angela Schmidt, Horizon Bank’s South Bend branch manager, has had a long career with the company and has felt their focus on community and the individuals within it.

“I’ve been with Horizon for over 20 years,” Schmidt said. “I just think it really is the core value of Horizon, that we really care about our community, our customers, our people, and showing that we want to be a part of it.”

Horizon Cares Day does so much for the communities they serve. This volunteer work also helps get the names of charities and nonprofits out there for people to learn more about.

“It gives great exposure to these organizations,” Sepke said. “My team knows about this organization now, and they could come down here and volunteer anytime. It gives you the feeling that you can go to all these places and help out, not just on Horizon Cares Day. You can help these organizations. They need help, so it’s a great thing that the bank gives us the opportunity to do it. Maybe more people will help.”

For more information on Horizon Bank, visit horizonbank.com.