Farmers-Merchants Bank of Illinois’ Paxton office has donated $15,000 to the Gibson Area House Rehab Foundation.
The donation, part of the bank’s Community Reinvestment Act investment, will support the nonprofit in purchasing furnaces, water heaters, mattresses and other essentials after nearly a foot of rain hammered Gibson Ill., damaging nearly 800 homes.
The Rehab Foundation assists homeowners with household repairs, and, through financial donations, covers materials costs and helps compensate contractors for repair work. The organization also manages renovations on homes for people with disabilities, including remodeling bathrooms, kitchens, doorways and adding ramps.
“We are honored to have had the opportunity to support the incredible work of GAHRF through this donation,” said Nancy Hoffer, executive vice president and market manager at Farmers-Merchants Bank of Illinois. “Our community was devastated by the flooding earlier this year, but GAHRF has spearheaded efforts to revitalize and restore the homes, and most importantly the people, of Gibson City. Farmers-Merchants is committed to supporting nonprofits who set out to better our local communities, and GAHRF truly exemplifies that mission.”
Ray Lantz, board president at the Gibson Area House Rehab Foundation, said the organization is “especially grateful to the team at Farmers-Merchants Bank for this donation.”
“Our organization is working tirelessly to rebuild many damaged homes in the area, and this donation will be an incredible lift in what we are able to accomplish,” he added.