February is warming up thanks to Guaranty Bank & Trust employees and customers.

The bank’s annual winter coat drive collected 228 coats for those in need. The coat drive, which concluded Feb. 19, was conducted in each of the bank’s locations from Vicksburg north to Southaven, head teller of the Cherry Street branch Robin Andrews said.

“There’s really not a whole lot going on in February, so we figured we’d do a coat drive,” she said. “It’s certainly still cold enough.”

Guaranty CEO Hue Townsend said the coats ranged from youth to adult sizes.

“Each of our branches received a proportionate number of coats, which will be donated at their discretion to local schools and other charities that have children in need of warm coats,” Townsend said. “We consider it a privilege to work in this endeavor to make a difference in the lives of those in the communities we serve.”

The Vicksburg branch collected 14 coats which were donated to the Moose Lodge.

“We had fliers hung around the bank and we told our customers as they were coming through if they were cleaning out closets or anything like that to bring them to us,” she said.

Guarantee Bank encourages community involvement throughout the year, Andrews said, not just for the two-and-a-half week coat drive.

“We’re always looking for things to do that promote the bank but also let them know we’re here for the community,” she said. “Not just for banking needs but for any kind of needs people may have.”

Moose Lodge bingo supervisor Sharon Bowling said she keeps a bingo account with the bank, so there has been an existing relationship.

“They called and asked me if we would be interested in the coats they had,” she said. “I went and picked them up, and we will use that throughout the year for families who are in need and distribute them out at Christmas.”

Bowling said the Moose Lodge is appreciative of the support from the bank, and she hopes there will be more collaborations between the bank and the lodge in the future.