HOISINGTON — Over the years, many different businesses and community members have purchased a set of longhorns in support of the Clara Barton Foundation, and it has been a tradition that each year the horns are donated back to be auctioned again the following year. The Foundation announces that this tradition will continue as it has for the past three decades and the horn will be “sold” during the live auction on June 17.
“I was very happy to be able to obtain the longhorns on my 15th anniversary of being an employee at Clara Barton Medical Center,” said Doris Meyeres, administrative/accounting specialist. “I am extremely proud to be a part of such a wonderful health-care organization.”
Meyeres has been affiliated with Clara Barton since 2007 and was initially hired as the administrative assistant. As her duties evolved, she has taken on the role of administrative/accounting specialist and is responsible for taking care of payroll, accounts payable and other accounting duties, along with some administrative duties.
“My favorite aspect of Clara Barton is the wonderful employees and great providers,” said Meyeres. “Everyone truly cares about our patients and works hard to meet their needs.”
Although the longhorns are currently displayed in the main hallway at Clara Barton Medical Center, Meyeres will continue the tradition by donating them back to the Foundation to be auctioned off once again at the 30th Annual Benefit Auction.
“I would like to see our organization continue to grow for many years and anything I can do make that happen is important to me,” said Meyeres.
The longhorn tradition began in 1991, just one year after the creation of the Foundation and the name change of the hospital. The steer horns were first donated to the Foundation by First Kansas Bank and its president, Bill Lebert, of Hoisington. His wife, Kay Lebert, was a dietician at Clara Barton. The Leberts have been valued members of the Foundation and have generously supported the community over the years.
The horns measure over six and a half feet long from tip to tip. In today’s market, the horns would fetch around $300 but are usually auctioned for much more. The proceeds of this year’s benefit event will help provide a complete upgrade of the patient telemetry monitoring system – a “vital” tool for examining heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, breathing rate, and oxygen levels utilized on patients throughout the hospital.
“I think the tradition of the horns and the benefit auction/golf tournament is very important, as it helps bring hospital staff and the community together,” said Meyeres. “It is also a great way to showcase the staff and community members and how much they care about the Foundation and hospital.”
Supporting the foundation through the purchase of any auction items supports Clara Barton Medical Center as a not-for-profit organization and leads to investment back into its programs and services. The longhorn tradition will be one of the many highlights during the live auction, allowing any supporter in attendance to bid and “Take the Bull by the Horns.”
Unlike the live auction items, additional silent auction items will be available for bidding on an online platform so anyone from anywhere can participate Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17. To register for the online auction, visit one.bidpal.net/clarabarton or simply text clarabarton to 243725 to receive the link.
