Northwestern Bank presented Jazz for a Cause, a community music event to benefit Hope Village of Chippewa Falls, on Friday August 4^th 2023.

When team members at Northwestern Bank found out that Hope Village had not yet reached their building campaign goal, they wanted to find a way to help. The vision for Hope Village is to build a community supported with resources and opportunities for its guests so they can be equipped with the necessary tools and skills to get back on their feet. The original goal was to build 11 tiny homes and provide for dozens of families and individuals in need of temporary housing alternatives.

Northwestern Bank is a mission driven community bank building stronger communities where people matter. A core value of the bank and team members is to create a positive local impact. Hope Village fills a void in the community by building and maintaining temporary tiny houses with access to a community center with a kitchen, laundry, showers, and severe weather shelter. NB employees came together to create a community event to help Hope Village raise more funds towards their campaign goal.

The idea was to create a summer Jazz event held at Riverfront Park in Chippewa Falls. This event was a huge success with live music, six food trucks, raffles, prizes, and fireworks. The live jazz show consisted of performances by Bloomer, Chippewa Falls, and McDondell high school jazz groups, the UW-Eau Claire Jazz Ensemble, and Troppo Big Band.

“Jazz on the House was a way for us to bring the community together and give high school jazz performers an opportunity to play for a large and supportive crowd. They were also able to meet and learn from the UWEC Jazz Ensemble and Troppo Big Band,” shared Jerry Kuehl, Northwestern Bank SVP of Sales and Marketing.

The event was free to everyone, and all the money raised was through donations. Jazz on the House was such a huge success that its sequel is already being planned for the Summer of 2024!

“It was such a beautiful summer night and we had over 1,500 people in attendance. It was great to see so many people from the community come to support local jazz musicians and help raise over $6,000 for a cause that we are all so passionate about.,” shared Erin Drilling, Northwestern Bank Business Banker.

Save the date:

Friday August 2^nd, 2024, Jazz on the House will be coming back!