Community Bank Of 117 Years Partners With International Red Cross For Ukrainian Refugee Relief

President and CEO, Michael H. Head recently announced that “When First Federal Savings Bank was established in Evansville on October 20, 1904, our forefather’s vision was to serve the west side community with safe, reliable banking services. As we have grown over the last 117 years, our community outreach has expanded across Southwestern Indiana.  Our customers’ financial welfare remains our guiding principle and when crises occur, we respond where possible.  The current crisis in Ukraine is a story of human tragedy and we recognize the significant impact on our local community and the people in it.  In response to this devastation, on Thursday, March 10, we announced a partnership with the International Red Cross to raise funds for Ukrainian refugees,”

Pastor of Grace of Christ Slavic Church in Evansville, Victor Voronin said that “I appreciate the efforts to help the country I am from and to help my people.  It’s unimaginable what’s going on right now.  I would probably not be mistaken if I said nobody in the world expected this to be so bad, and it’s going worse.  And to see people around the world respond to this is very encouraging.” 

Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke also added a few words of encouragement to the people of Ukraine, and our entire community.  “Pastor, I hope that my presence, the presence of our representatives of our United States Senators including Braun and Young as well as Congressman Buschon, offer you and your neighbors, and friends, and family, some sense of comfort and hope.  To potential donors, know this, whatever you can contribute, will be helping someone, some family, halfway across the world, that will never be able to thank you.  But know, that it will be a meaningful contribution that will change their lives in a way that we will never know.  So, thank you for considering a donation, thank you for the partnership and collaboration that exists in our community.  That is our secret sauce here in Evansville.”

Each of First Federal’s nine bank locations will be accepting cash or check donations.  Checks should be made payable to First Federal Savings Bank with the memo line Ukrainian Fund and can be dropped off at a branch or mailed to PO Box 1111 Evansville, IN  47708.  Digital payments can be made via Zelle ® by searching donations@fbei.net for First Federal Savings Bank within the Zelle® app.

LOCATIONS OF FIRST SAVINGS AND LOAN BANK

Corporate Offices: 5001 Davis Lant Drive, Evansville, IN  47715.

Newburgh Branch is located at 8388 Bell Oaks Drive, Evansville.

St. Philip Branch is located at 11201 Upper Mt. Vernon Road, Evansville.

Franklin Street Branch is located at  2200 W. Franklin Street, Evansville.

North ParkBranch is located at 4451 N. First Avenue, Evansville.

BellemeadeBranch is located at 4601 Bellemeade Avenue, Evansville.

University Branch is located at 4615 University Drive, Evansville.

Petersburg Branch is located at 501 Main Street, Petersburg, IN  47567

Washington Branch is located at 200 E. VanTrees Street, Washington, IN  47501

THE PRICE OF PEACE

GAVEL GAMUT By Jim Redwine

Americans relate to the Ukrainians’ passion to control their own lives. Of course, self-determination is not just an American or Ukrainian desire. It is a universal need for all people. However, when it comes to a democratic form of government there is an interesting historical tradition shared by Americans and Ukrainians.

We Americans rightly point to our Constitution that took effect in 1789 as a shining example of how a country’s government can be held in check as individual liberties are protected. However, in 1710 Ukrainian Philip Orlyk wrote and published a proposed constitution that called for a government designed to have three competing branches, Executive, Legislative and Judicial. Our American constitution was drafted principally by James Madison and was based mainly on the theories of French legal philosophers Montesquieu and Voltaire and the English legal philosopher John Locke along with legal theories underlying The Enlightenment. All of these thinkers did their work after Orlyk had published his constitution based on a democratic system of self-government.

Orlyk’s constitution was never put into operation. But the strong democratic ideals of the Ukrainian people were a part of what the German legal philosopher Friedrich Carl von Savigny (1779-1861) would have described as the Ukrainian nation’s Volksgeist. Volksgeist is the inherent common spirit of a particular culture, in this case, Ukraine.

When we are amazed that the Ukrainians are so vigorously and courageously opposing aggression from the third most powerful military on earth we can look to their spirit, their Volksgeist of democracy. This deep passion for self-determination when coupled with the natural advantages of fighting for their homeland have allowed the Ukrainians to stand up strongly against the great Russian bear. Will they win, yes, because they already have. Much of the world is on their side and is supporting them. Will Russia eventually gain physical control of Ukraine? Maybe, but emotional control over the hearts and minds of the Ukrainians, probably not.

How will this war reach what in mediation is called a quiescent state? There are many possibilities. In the long run the outcome is a subject of pure speculation. But in the short run a few things can be suggested. In all negotiations, each side has their dream outcomes and each has what they eventually will accept. Russia probably hoped for total capitulation by Ukraine and Ukraine probably hopes for surrender by Russia. Neither outcome is likely.

Should total victory be beyond either country’s grasp, Ukraine may settle for the sovereignty of all Ukrainian territory west of Russia including free access to the Dnieper River from the Black Sea plus sovereignty over the port of Odesa. Whereas Ukraine may want and may deserve reparations of billions of dollars from Russia, Russia cannot provide for itself much less re-build Ukraine. Ukraine will look to America and others such as Germany, France, Canada, and Great Britain for economic aid.

Russia may be eager to get out of the quagmire it has blundered into if Ukraine concedes Crimea, already a fait accompli, and any port on the Black Sea or the Azov Sea excluding Odesa. Russia would have to sign a treaty that promises no future incursions into Ukraine and no interference with the Port of Odesa or use of the Dnieper River. Ukraine would have to sign a treaty that binds itself to not seek or accept NATO membership as long as Russia abides by the peace treaty. Of course, there are thousands of other possible significant concerns both countries may wish to have go their way. But peace requires sacrifice.

For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com

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