Pub. 1 2012 Issue 8

December 2012 11 l e a d i n g a d v o c a t e f o r t h e b a n k i n g i n d u s t r y i n k a n s a s G REELEY, KANSAS IS A QUIET LITTLE TOWN with about 350 residents and many farms in all direc - tions. It is a morning ritual to have about 25 residents gather in the local café to enjoy morning coffee and conversation. On August 8th, 2012 the local café caught fire and was completely destroyed. Within days, it was obvious that the community had no place for such social gatherings and Patrick Rockers of the Bank of Greeley wanted to do something about it. Pat went to his pastor at the local Methodist church to ask if they could use the fellowship hall as a coffee shop while the café was rebuilt. With the appropri- ate blessings, they were open for business and serving the community on August 15th. Since then, Pat makes his way to the fellowship hall in the early morning hours to make sure there is enough coffee and donuts for the crowd. The bank has provided coffee and donuts on week days and they always have biscuits and gravy on Saturday morning. Doris Rommelfanger was casually sipping her coffee and enjoying the morning discussion with others when staff from the KBA joined them one morning. She was quick with a smile and offered a warm cup of brew to their visitor. The sense of community pride is evident in this lovely setting. As the discussion progressed and stories were exchanged, Doris looked up and said “we are so fortunate to have the bank taking care of this for us.” Then Duane Roush interjected, “They are so involved with the community. They take care of our ball fields and serve on our school board and city council.” “They understand what a home- town bank is,” stated Doris. Pat Rockers reported that they are in the process of rebuilding the café and hope to open late in the fall or early winter. In the meantime, the Bank of Greeley will provide morning coffee at the local church hall and enjoy their community. BANK OF GREELEY RESPONDS TO COMMUNITY NEED FROM LEFT: Doris Rommelfanger, Patrick Rockers (Bank of Greeley), Larry Rommelfanger, and Duane Roush discuss the value of a community gathering place after the local café was lost in a fire. “They understand what a hometown bank is.”