Citizens Community Bank is credited for saving the Roanoke Rapids Christmas Parade.

But it’s not the first time the South Hill-based bank has stepped in.

“For years in South Hill, Peebles always sponsored the parade,” said Yvonne Thompson, branch manager of CCB in Roanoke Rapids.

When Peebles was sold they chose to not sponsor and CCB stepped in.

It was at a board meeting of the Roanoke Rapids branch that a local attorney mentioned the city’s Christmas parade dilemma. “Bill White mentioned Roanoke Rapids was in danger of not having a parade,” Thompson said.

The board decided to sponsor the Roanoke Rapids parade. “A part of it is being a good corporate citizen,” Thompson said of the decision. “Christmas is my favorite time of the year. It’s giving back to the community.”

Part of the reason is also corporate recognition and the bank’s commitment to children. “It’s giving to the children we hope to have as customers in the future.”

The bank has a children’s area and also plans to launch a children’s banking initiative. “This help us being seen in the community,” Thompson said.

While it is has not been decided whether the bank will remain a continual sponsor, Thompson said, “We would like to have first rights of refusal. There’s not a lot of magic left in this world but Christmas is still magical.”