Whispering Willow Pet Funeral and Cremation Services awarded $15,000 grant

SUBMITTED PHOTO The Journal
From middle to right: Stillman Bank Senior Vice President Mortgage Banking Bryan Markham, Stillman Bank Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer Chris Agnitsch, and Stillman Bank Executive Vice President Ed Munguia present the $15,000 Accelerate Grant for Small Businesses check to Nick (far left) and Kate Capriola and family, owners of Whispering Willows Pet Funeral and Cremation Services.

As a locally-owned and headquartered community bank, Stillman Bank values every opportunity to give back to their communities. In partnership with FHLBank Chicago and its Community First Program, they are honored to award Whispering Willow Pet Funeral and Cremation Services an Accelerate Grant for Small Businesses, totaling $15,000.

Headquartered in Rockford, Whispering Willow Pet Funeral and Cremation Services is owned by Nick and Kate Capriola. With Kate having been a funeral director and embalmer for more than 16 years, they first saw the need for end-of-life care for pets in the Rockford region after their dog Bella suddenly had to be euthanized. Whispering Willow Pet Funeral and Cremation Services offers pre-arrangements, in-home euthanasia, on-site cremation, as well as senior pet and end-of-life photography. They also work hand-in-hand with local veterinarians to provide preferred services to their customers.

Through FHLBank Chicago’s member institutions, like Stillman Bank, Accelerate Grants assist the growth and development of small businesses in Illinois and Wisconsin. All grant recipients are small businesses that make a difference in their community, and funds are intended for the following purposes:

• The purchase or improvement of property.

• The purchase of machinery, tools, or equipment.

• The purchase of inventory, materials, or supplies.

• Workforce development or training.

• New or upgraded technology.

For more information on Stillman Bank or to find out more about Stillman’s products or services, visit www.stillmanbank.com. To learn more about FHLBank Chicago and their Accelerate Grants, visit www.fhlbc.com. For more information about Whispering Willow Pet Funeral and Cremation Services, visit www.whisperingwillowpetfuneral.com.

Stillman Bank is an independently owned community bank founded in 1882. The bank has approximately $587 million in assets and operates full-service banking offices in Byron, Oregon, Rochelle, Rockford, Roscoe/Rockton, and Stillman Valley.