First Community Bank of Batesville’s “Keep on Restoring” campaign has been working to assist area organizations during the coronavirus crisis.
First Community Bank’s Kenny Gerhardt (pictured above, left), senior vice president of teller operations and treasurer of the Old Independence Regional Museum, presented a donation to Alan Bufford (right), president of the board of directors at the museum. Originally constructed by the WPA in 1936, the museum is on the National Register of Historic Places. It opened as a museum in 1998 and has since been restored. Its exhibits are interpretive and educational.
“Since visitors at the museum are at a standstill amidst social distancing, First Community Bank believes that it is very important to keep funding the museum due to its temporary loss of income,” Gerhardt said. “The museum is an important historical landmark that preserves artifacts and archival materials pertaining to the history of Independence County and the surrounding counties.”
First Community Bank’s Billy Keedy, branch manager/vp lending in Newport, also presented a $5,000 check to John 3:17 Ministry, which is a faith-based Christian recovery center.
“We know that fundraising efforts have been difficult due to the social distancing requirements at this time, but we believe in the work that John 3:17 Ministry is doing,” said Keedy. “We want to help them continue to restore the lives of those who are battling addiction, and our hope is that these women will experience recovery and live healthy, happy lives.”
