SVM presented with $500 donation check from #500forGood

The #500forGood Program was started in 2018 by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka, with eight $500.00 gifts given out. This year, the organization is pleased to announce 52 recipients chosen from more than 120 submissions. The program is proud to play a small part in so many of the causes that communities believe in. This year, the Solomon Valley Manor in Stockton is one of the recipients due to Amber Muir with Solutions North Bank of Stockton, an FHLB member, answering the contest question, “If you had $500.00 to help your community, what would you do?”

Amber’s submission is as follows: “Our town has only one nursing home, Solomon Valley Manor. They have been working out of a grandfathered buildnineteenth ing for some time now, sharing bathrooms and shower space, and looking very institutionalized. We have a new administrator who puts her heart and soul into providing not just a space but a home for her residents. She is not afraid to get her hands dirty, either. She works extra hours and advocates for her residents to have better living. One of her goals after coming on board was to construct a new building that was homier than the current building.

AND SHE DID IT!!! The construction crews are just about finished with the final touches. Boxes of new furniture and supplies come in weekly.

However, this project was bid out and started in 2020. With inflation and trouble getting workers and supplies on time, the cost and time that it took to complete the housing has gone overboard.

I know they did not plan on the price of lumber, concrete, and labor to double, and that is just what happened. Now, we all know the last piece of the puzzle when building a new home is the landscaping and outdoor living space. I drive by the nursing home occasionally and see residents taking advantage of their current outdoor space. The new building has limited tree coverage but a very nice patio. If I had $500.00 to spare, I would love to give them some new umbrellas and maybe a few flowerpots full of colorful flowers for them to enjoy come springtime.

Our western Kansas sun is very unforgiving, and I would hate for these wonderful folks to miss out on the fresh air without the proper sun protection.

There’s just something about flowers in front of your house that makes it feel more like home.

I would like to see my fellow coworkers pitch in and help plant the flowers if given the chance.

I would like to have our Manor residents feel like they are at their home away from home, appreciated and not forgotten.”

On Wednesday, January 17th, Solutions North Bank was proud to present the $500.00 check to Solomon Valley Manor Administrator Amanda Atkisson, which will go toward the purchase of new umbrellas and flowers for the facility.

Solutions North Bank President Dale Winklepleck, Senior Vice President of the Loan Administration Department Amber Muir, Solomon Valley Manor Administrator Amanda Atkisson, and Solutions North Bank Senior Vice President Brian Berkley were in attendance at the presentation. In 2020, Amber submitted a letter to #500for-Good, which resulted in the donation of $500.00 to the Stockton Food Pantry.

In 2021, Solutions North Bank of Hill City received the funds to help with the repairs needed before the Graham County Fairgrounds 75th anniversary of the rodeo.