Alliance Junior Board visits Wabash Valley Farms, BraunAbility, HDC

In early November, the Junior Board was able to tour a local popcorn distributor, known as Wabash Valley Farms. Located in Monon, this family-owned farm is most famous for its Whirley Pop popper.

The day began with a very informative presentation led by President/CEO Dani Paluchniak. She not only informed the students of what successes and challenges they’ve faced, but also prompted students to keep dreaming and never give up. She believes that anyone can do whatever they put their mind to with the right desires and connections.

While on the tour, students were able to see the manufacturing of each product and how things are packaged and distributed to major retailers across the country. Each student was graciously given an incredibly creative gourmet bucket of deliciousness that comes out of Wabash Valley Farms.

On Nov. 30, members of Alliance's Junior Board spent their Wednesday night volunteering at the Humanitarian Distribution Center (HDC) packaging food for delivery. Students packaged eight pallets of spaghetti sauce to send to food pantries across Northern Indiana.

A food pantry provides emergency food at no cost to qualifying families. Ever wonder where they go to get food which helps so many families? One such place is HDC located in Francesville. Food pantry representatives from 13 counties in northwest Indiana drive to the large warehouse on South Bill Street to pick up a full pallet of food. HDC is a Christian not-for-profit organization.

Earlier this month, the Junior Board visited BraunAbility in Winamac. Throughout the visit, students were able to watch product demonstrations, see just how the vehicles are assembled and even learn a bit about etiquette when it comes to addressing and approaching persons with a disability and wheelchair users.

Cyndi Garnett led the group with a very informative presentation outlining everything that is important to BraunAbility. The students were shown how recent engineering has benefited persons with disabilities, providing them with greater quality of life. The group then discussed career opportunities and continued on with a tour of the factory. Students were able to see just how each vehicle is modified to fit a purchaser's needs and all the detail that goes into it.

Throughout the day, one theme stood out over all. BraunAbility, now an international company, cares deeply about its customers' well-being and wants to provide a quality product for all, in keeping with the company's motto, "Life is truly a moving experience."

For more information about Wabash Valley Farms, HDC or BraunAbility visit their websites:

Alliance Bank is a Real Community Bank ® with offices in Francesville, Monon, Monticello, Otterbein, Oxford, Rensselaer, and Winamac. To learn more about Alliance Bank, visit its website at www.myalliancebank.com.

Alliance Junior Board of Directors visits Wabash Valley Farms: (l-r) President/CEO Wabash Valley Farms Dani Paluchniak, Isabelle Dotlich, Teresa Ball, Craig Reiff, Kaitlyn Malchow, Jerod Glasford, Maci Heimlich, Brody Brumm, Amy Lyons, Hannah Ball, Taylor Shriver, Ethan Jones, Jennifer Rios, Cassie Wuethrich, Peri Raver, Ryan Shepherd, Braylin Balough and Ashlee Grubbs.