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Christmas coffee continues 25-year tradition
Non-profits benefit at annual charity event
farmers charity coffee 2021
The top three winners during the Farmers Bank and Trust annual Charity Coffee held Wednesday, Dec. 8, were: $500 to Habitat for Humanity - Barton County Area, represented by Aaron Emerson and Amy Ferguson; $400 to Volunteers in Action of Central Kansas, represented by Linn Hogg; and $300 to Kansas Children’ Service League – Healthy Families, represented by Connie Cale. Also pictured is Farmers Bank & Trust is Western Market President Robert Rugan. - photo by DALE HOGG Great Bend Tribune

The Farmers Bank and Trust Christmas Charity Coffee Wednesday, Dec. 8, marked the silver anniversary of the annual event that has become a holiday tradition.

“This year is a milestone with our 25th-annual Charity Coffee,” said Farmers Bank Vice President Karesa Harrison. “We are so proud to have been able to support our charities and friends in our hometown over this quarter century through this project and many other partnerships.”

The awards are a small token of the bank’s appreciation for the many non-profit organizations that serve those with a variety of needs. “Thank you  on behalf of all of us for your tireless efforts and incredible work,” she said

A total of $4,350 was given away to charities in 2021. In all, 36 Barton County non-profits received a Christmas bonus. 

Musicians Marc and Diana Webster performed holiday instrumentals at the coffee as representatives of the numerous charities arrived for coffee, cookies and fellowship. Farmers Bank and Trust Market President Robert Rugan gave opening remarks. 

This is the bank’s 114th year in existence, Rugan said, and like the people assembled in the bank’s lobby that morning, the bank is invested in the community and believes in the people who live and work here. In the 25 years the giveaway has been happening, the bank has given away over $132,000.

Holding with tradition, the first three awards were in the amount of $500 to Habitat for Humanity - Barton County Area, $400 to Volunteers in Action of Central Kansas and $300 to the Kansas Children’ Service League – Healthy Families.

Next up were three awards for $200 each: Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice; Prodigal Ministries of Kansas Inc.; and Saint Francis Ministries.

Ten $100 awards were given to: Center for Counseling and Consultation; Central Kansas Association for Visually Impaired; Central Kansas CASA Inc.; Clara Barton Hospital Foundation; Heartland Center for Spirituality; Juvenile Services Immediate Intervention Program; Live Like Jesus Today Ministry; Meals on Wheels of Barton County; and United Way of Central Kansas. Each of the 10 received an additional $50 courtesy of Yvonne Robbins, wife of Corporate President and CEO WR Robbins.

The remaining charities also received $50 contributions from the bank and an Yvonne Robbins match.