Thursday, October 18, 2007

Perry bank provides defibrillator, other gifts to USD 343

by Carolyn Kaberline

A USD 343 parent’s suggestion has led to the purchase of a cardiac defibrillator by First State Bank and Trust for the Perry School District.

“Lisa Mitchell, a parent and patron, brought the idea to me and then to Denis [Yoder],” says Perry bank manager Anna Glynn-Hurla.

“I contacted Anna,” said Dr. DenisYoder, USD 343 superintendent, “and we got together and talked about it.”

“Being in a small community, there’s a slow ambulance response time,” Glynn-Hurla explains, saying that this is a situation that can make the difference “between life and death.”

Glynn-Hurla says that everyone hopes they never have to use it [the defibrillator], “but we hear on the news about 14- and 15-year-olds with heart disease.”

“The beauty of this,” Yoder says, “it’s here for 14- and 15-year-olds or 80-year-olds.”

In addition to purchasing the defibrillator, the bank has also purchased a “family” of CPR mannequins—a child, infant, and adult model for USD 343 use.

Glynn-Hurla says that while the mannequins will be kept at the bank, they will be available for CPR classes at the high school; the defibrillator will be kept at the high school where it will be on hand for any activities at the high school or middle school.

“We’ll soon be getting training for key people,” Yoder says. “There will be someone there who’s trained anytime there’s an activity in the building.”

While the cost for the defibrillator and mannequins is approximately $1,850, the bank believes this is a good investment.

“We feel it’s very important to support the kids, school, and parents,” says Glynn-Hurla.

“All of our locations are very involved with the community and the schools,” she said, adding that First State Bank and Trust facilities are mainly located in small communities. Being in a small community, she said, means that the bank is very much a part of the everyday lives of the people.

In addition to donating the defibrillator and CPR mannequins, the bank has given ongoing support to the Perry-Lecompton district, by sponsoring a Welcome Back luncheon for USD 343 employees before the start of school and providing a location for the Homecoming pep rally following the Homecoming parade as well as giving out pop to all those attending the rally. The bank has also provided sideline chairs—48 folding chairs— for volleyball and basketball games.

First State Bank and Trust has also done a lot with the booster club. “We try to help them out wherever we can.” In addition, the bank has helped with After Prom activities and has presented two $750 scholarships to graduating seniors.

While a lot of the focus has been on high school activities, the bank has also been very involved with elementary and middle school students, by spending time in elementary classrooms and helping out wherever needed—whether with individual students or a whole class- as well as providing tee-shirts for middle school graduation. Bank employees are also involved in Read Across America activities in the spring.

Several educational programs on finances are also offered to USD 343 students.

“The Teach Kids To Save program is popular,” says Glynn-Hurla. “This is a presentation aimed primarily at first and second graders and focuses on saving money and how to budget. A program offered to juniors and seniors Get Smart About Credit talks about establishing credit, why good credit is important, and good credit vs. bad credit.” Glynn-Hurla says that when a lot of students come in after high school and open accounts, they mention they heard one of the presentations.

Glynn-Hurla points out that all this support would not be possible without a “buy-in” by the bank’s employees. “We’re extremely lucky that the employees we have share the same values and philosophy and are proud to be part of the bank.”

“We’re most appreciative of the support the bank has given us,” Yoder says. “This is another example of their reinvesting in the community. The bank really stands behind this—it’s a great thing. We’re very fortunate to have them here.”