A Fargo bank that promised to give its employees half a million dollars if they used it to help others has given away more than $350,000 so far this year, and it's giving employees more time to come up with ideas.

"It's been so rewarding," said Michael Solberg, the chief operating officer of the State Bank & Trust.

"It's gone for everything from church youth groups to an employee's neighbor who has cancer and a stack of medical bills."

Solberg announced at the company's Christmas party in December that each full-time employee would get $1,000 and each part-time employee will get $500, as part of the $502,000 "Pay it Forward" initiative. The privately-owned bank has more than 500 employees, Solberg said.

The bank had set a deadline is June 30 for employees to find a use for their share of the money. Solberg said Friday that will be extended.

"Some of the bigger ideas have taken more time," Solberg said. "We'll make sure we give all the money away."

Employees can't use the money for themselves, their families or families of other bank employees. A board made up of employees must approve each project, said Amy Wolf, a bank spokeswoman.

Bank workers were given video cameras to document their project.

"There are so many diverse needs in our community and the diversity of employees' projects reflects that," Solberg said.

Some employees have matched the money themselves or have pooled money with other employees and organizations for some projects.

On Friday, 18 employees donated nearly $42,000 in cash, appliances and a wheelchair-accessible van to a family in Forman, in southeastern North Dakota. Allen and Julie Colemer and their children, Hannah and Matthew, were injured in vehicle accident nine years ago and are still recovering, Wolf said.

"This is very, very nice - it's wonderful," said Bonnie Schultz, Julie Colemer's mother. "This surely is going to help them a lot."

Employees also purchased vehicle insurance for the family for three years, Wolf said.

The good deeds are going beyond North Dakota borders, Solberg said.

Three employees pooled their money to give it to a Minnesota man who has two kidney transplants, the bank said. One bank worker gave $500 to the family of a slain Jamaican man she had met on the Caribbean island when he was working as a security guard at a resort. Bank officials said the money would help send his daughter to college.

Solberg said the "Pay it Forward" initiative has done much to make people feel good about giving and has helped erase the banking industry's "stodgy, conservative image." He said other companies have taken notice.

"This is creating a culture of philanthropy, outreach and good will," Solberg said. "Other companies are looking at it as a wake-up and a challenge."