Alliance Bank reflects on highlights of 2016

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Published: Friday, 30 December 2016 15:34

From Alliance Bank

FRANCESVILLE - As we all ring in a new year, it also beacons us to give pause for reflection on highpoints of the past year, observed Alliance Bank officials in an end-of-year news release.

It’s been a tough year for Alliance Bank given the illness and loss of president and CEO, Terry Stevens, and maybe that’s why, this year, a reflection seems so poignant.

Community members enjoy Alliance Bank’s Farm-to-Table Dinner Experience this past August at Rensselaer’s riverside Potawatomi Park.

Alliance Bank presents $1000 to the Good Samaritan Food Pantry in Rensselaer. (L-R) Ed Feicht, Robert Souza, Julie Evers and Steve Torbet.

Alliance Bank presents $1000 to the Tom and Gwen Lloyd Cancer Fund. (l-R) Steve Torbet, Jody Lloyd and Julie Evers.

Alliance Bank office managers pose with a certificate of appreciation from Operation Interdependence. Donations were accepted at all Alliance Bank locations. (L-R) Kelsie Zellers, Winamac; Melanie McGuin, Monticello; Julie Evers, Rensselaer; Cathie Williams, Francesville; Tara Garling, Monon; Karen Smith, Otterbein; Retail Manager Sue Wallpe and Suzanne Muller, Oxford.

Farm-to- table community dinners are growing in popularity across the country. We were so proud and honored to have been able to host our very own in Rensselaer this past summer. A highlight of the year, for certain, for many reasons.

The event delivered a locally-sourced meal in the middle of the beautiful Potawatomi Park. Although not setup as a fund-raiser, $500 in proceeds went to support Rensselaer’s Farmers Market. The meal itself was a four-course dinner, prepared by The Homestead Restaurant owner, Jody Bahler and her team. The meal featured wine from local Carpenter Creek winery and décor by Gatherings designer, Cheryl Torbet. Our Farm-to- Table event brought together the entire community, as well as the entire Alliance Bank team to facilitate such a grand event. In true-to-brand fashion, it was a model “Together” event.

As a small community bank, it's our mission to be great stewards of our community. Giving of our time, effort and financial support is a top priority for our entire team. There are so many great organizations and people doing good work in our communities, all worthy of our support. We receive hundreds of requests every year, and although not in large monetary sum, we try to help each and every one of them. Because we are; therefore, spread so thin, it's challenging as a small organization to make large impactful gifts. This year; however, our Rensselaer office decided to try to do so. After careful management of their Charitable, Donation and Sponsorship budgets, they were able to put aside $2,000 to be able to give as an impactful gift. The crew at that office shared, discussed and voted on where they thought those dollars would be most impactful. They decided to give two $1,000 gifts, one to The Good Samaritan Food Pantry and one to The Tom & Gwen Lloyd Cancer Fund.

As the name implies, the Good Samaritan Food Pantry in Rensselaer serves the food needs of families in Rensselaer and surrounding communities. Located at 130 S. Van Rensselaer Street, their hours are (Central Time) Tuesdays 10 am to noon, Thursdays 1 pm to 3 pm, and every third Saturday 9 am to noon. You may contact them by phone when the facility is open - 219-866- 4515. They ask that you call if you wish to donate, volunteer or simply to confirm they’re open.

The Tom & Gwen Lloyd Cancer Fund is a non-profit organization that raises funds for cancer patients in need of assistance for travel expenses. ALL funds raised are disbursed for those expenditures. Thomas William Lloyd Sr., and Gwendolyn Kay Lloyd were married for more than 45 years. Tom was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in April of 2012. Gwen was diagnosed with renal cancer in August 2012. Tom passed away on Jan. 23, 2014. Gwen passed away on Feb. 18, 2016. Like many others who are diagnosed with cancer, traveling to and from their treatments in Indianapolis became a financial burden. It was Tom and Gwen’s wish that their family set up a fund so that others would be able to go for treatments without added worry or stress. The monies raised go to cancer patients to help with travel expenses as well as grocery expenses, if needed. If you know of anyone needing assistance, let them know by visiting their Facebook page.

Looking farther from home, Operation Interdependence was an honoring challenge our entire organization took on. Operation Interdependence proudly serves those who serve us. They are a nationwide non-profit organization, run strictly by volunteers and on donations - NO paid employees. They provide a means for community members to support troops serving on the front lines, military families and veterans. Their goal is to ensure that every Soldier, Sailor, Airman and Marine is served by OI® from the time they deploy until they get back home. The cornerstone of the OI Civilian-to- Military Delivery System® is the care package… referred to as a “C-Rat”, it’s an individual quart sized baggie containing a note/letter from a caring citizen and factory sealed items to boost their morale. OI volunteers in centers across the country work with delivery companies, schools, churches, civic groups, corporations, and anyone willing to contribute some of their time. Alliance Bank collected enough items to pack and send 24 LARGE boxes full of C-Rats. To keep from bogging down the Military Mail System volunteers pack and ship 25 care packages per large flat-rate postage box. For many, OI boxes are the only communication they receive from home. To assure that no one is left out, the commander receives enough boxes to cover everyone in their unit. You can learn even more about Operation Interdependence by visiting their website at www.oidelers.org.

There were many highlights in 2016 for Alliance Bank, these being simply a few we felt most impactful and exemplified our “Together” brand. We wish each and every one of you a new year filled with many highlights of your own.

Alliance Bank is a local Real Community Bank ® proudly serving Francesville, Monon, Monticello, Otterbein, Oxford, Rensselaer, Winamac and their surrounding communities.