Business Briefs

New real estate office opens

Five Star Realty announced its opening this month in Soldotna,at 35338 Kenai Spur Highway. Six agents combined for more than 50 years of real estate sales experience.

Sales associates include Patty Thompson, Carl Lewis, Dorothy Cunningham and Michelle Medley. Barb Nord is associate broker, and Dian Melton is the broker.

For more information, call 262-2445.

Bank donations top $1.2 million

First National Bank Alaska and its 750 employees statewide contributed more than $1.2 million this past year in charitable gifts, activity sponsorships and in-kind donations of time and talent.

Financial support was donated to a wide variety of health, youth, educational, civic and arts organizations in the state. First National again paid special attention to the needs of Alaska's youth by continuing their longstanding support for organizations such as Boys' and Girls' Club, the Alaska School Activities Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior Achievement and Alaska Children's Services.

Education was also a major focus of the bank's support, with significant contributions to University of Alaska Anchorage, Alaska Pacific University, Sheldon Jackson College, University of Alaska Southeast and the Alaska Academic Decathlon.

Other major contributions included United Way, the Home Ownership Center of Alaska, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, American Lung Association and the Alaska Federation of Natives, among many others.

In addition to these donations, bank employees volunteered hundreds and hundreds of hours to assist organizations statewide. First National Bank also donated thousands of dollars of gift items such as children's toys, sporting goods, office supplies and clothing items.