Kan. bank donates $150,000 to fire relief efforts around Paradise

A child's toy is all that is left after a house in Paradise was burned to the ground on Dec. 15 as high winds tore through Russell County. Photo by Cristina Janney / Hays Post

As an incessant windstorm ripped across the state on Dec. 15, wind gusts of up to 100 mph also fanned wildfires that devastated counties to our west.

The largest of those was a fire that burned across parts of northern Ellis and Russell counties. According to information from the Kansas Forest Service, more than 121,000 acres were burned, as were houses, outbuildings, vehicles, and livestock.

The devastation did not go unnoticed by a longtime Salina bank with ties to the agriculture community. The Bennington State Bank (BSB) has announced that it will donate a total of $150,000 to three organizations helping those affected by the wildfire in the Paradise area.

“Our hearts go out to the families and Kansas farmers who suffered extreme damage and loss caused by the windstorm and fires. As an ag bank, we live, work, and serve in the communities impacted by this disaster and we want to do our part to help,” said Darren Gragg, president and CEO of The Bennington State Bank.

The funds were divided among the Paradise Area Disaster Relief Fund coordinated by Paradise United Methodist Church, Heartland Community Foundation, and Russell County Area Community Foundation, according to information from the bank.

Participating in the Paradise Area Fire Relief Fund donation are, from left, Amy Hiitter, BSB lending operations officer; Dan Hoisington, Paradise United Methodist Church; Laurie Pattillo, Paradise United Methodist Church; Jolan Ward, BSB loan officer; Carolyn Sichley, BSB marketing officer; and Ryan McMillan, BSB, VP loan officer. Photo courtesy The Bennington State Bank

“On behalf of the Paradise Fire Relief Fund and our friends and neighbors, we would like to offer our deep appreciation for the generosity and kindness of The Bennington State Bank and their customers,” said Stacy Ellsworth of the Paradise United Methodist Church.

According to information from The Bennington State Bank, the donation will help organizations give grants to local families, ranchers, and nonprofit organizations offering relief services in areas impacted by the natural disaster.

Participating in the Heartland Community Foundation donation are, from left, Jolan Ward, BSB loan officer; Ryan McMillan, BSB VP loan officer; Amy Hiitter, BSB lending operations officer; and Sarah Meitner, Heartland Community Foundation executive director. Photo courtesy The Bennington State Bank

“We sincerely thank Bennington State Bank for their generous donation to the Heartland Disaster Relief Funds and all of the people who have reached out with support for those impacted. Kansans helping Kansans is one of things that make our community so special. We will make sure that the money collected in the Disaster Relief Funds goes to those who need it most,” said Sarah Meitner, executive director of the Heartland Community Foundation.

Those participating in the Russell County Area Community Foundation (RCACF) donation are, from left, Jolan Ward, BSB loan officer; Ryan McMillan, BSB VP loan officer; Amy Hiitter, BSB lending operations officer; Angela Muller, RCACF executive director; Mallory Davis, RCACF board chair; and Rhonda Haberer, RCACF board vice-chair. Photo courtesy The Bennington State Bank

Angela Muller, executive director of the Russell County Area Community Foundation, described the bank donation as a "permanent safety net."

"We are grateful to Bennington State Bank for their generosity and kindness toward those affected by the windstorm and wildfires. The Russell County Disaster Relief Fund is available to make grants to firehouses, local government, relief organizations and other charitable entities assisting area neighbors affected by this disaster," Muller said. "The fund is a permanent safety net to Russell County to aid in the aftermath of an emergency, as well as disaster preparedness and recovery efforts."

Residents and organizations working to build back after the storm and fire can use the following links and information to apply for assistance, according to information from the bank.

Heartland Community Foundation

Paradise United Methodist Church: Click on “Fire Relief Application” in yellow

Contact Angela Muller with RCACF at 785-445-3611 to get an application.

About The Bennington State Bank
Established in 1887, The Bennington State Bank has locations in Salina, Bennington, Minneapolis, Lucas, Sylvan Grove, Abilene, Wamego, and Wichita. For more information, visit bsbks.com.