Dec. 20, 2007 — FirstBank put the merry into Christmas for six local non-profit organizations on Thursday, five of which received $2,000 each from the bank's Neighborhood Grant Program. One agency received two grants. The funds were given out in a ceremony at the new Crown Bay branch as it hosted a Business After Hours reception sponsored by the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce. The Family Resource Center, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and two programs under the Virgin Islands Housing Authority were the St. Thomas recipients. Friends of the V.I. National Park, St. Ursula's Anglican Church and the Episcopal Diocese of the V.I.'s Multi-Purpose Center were the recipients on St. John. "People expect corporations to participate and assist in the community," explained FirstBank Sr. Vice President Joseph Hosie. "It's important morally, and our staff members themselves take pride that the corporation they serve is serving the community."