NINETEENTH ANNUAL SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE GREAT SUCCESS!!

 Three Counties - Twenty-Three Schools - $10,150 in Supplies Donated

The school supply drive held by The First National Bank in Trinidad and its branch locations was, once again, an overwhelming success! The nineteenth annual donation drive, which began on July 5, 2019 and ended on August 2, 2019, brought in over $7,150 in school supplies and cash donations, $3,000 of which was matched by First National. The $10,150 worth of supplies were distributed to the twenty-three schools in Las Animas, Huerfano and Colfax Counties. The school list included Holy Trinity Academy, Grace Christian, Hoehne, Primero, Kim, Branson, Aguilar, Fisher’s Peak Elementary, Eckhart Elementary, G.O.A.L. Academy, Trinidad Middle School and Trinidad High School, Peakview Elementary, Walsenburg John Mall High School, LaVeta Elementary and High School, Gardner, Longfellow, Raton Intermediate School, Raton High School, Springer, Maxwell and Cimarron Public Schools. Each school received a percentage of the donated supplies gathered in their corresponding counties based upon enrollment numbers; the teachers will then distribute them to the children who have a need.

“We received many positive comments and notes of appreciation for the supplies that were donated last year,” says Bank Vice President, Chris Egland. “It’s a project we do to help the schools and children in the area, and it’s been very successful. The generosity shown by area businesses, organizations, and individuals has made this project a rewarding one for all involved.” A special ‘thank you’ was extended by the Bank to Trinidad donors: Shirley A. Donachy, Trinidad Area Retired School Employees Association, Emma Carnevale, Comi Funeral Home, Larry K. French, Velma Piacentini, Trinidad/Las Animas County Chamber of Commerce, Keith H. Maberry, Bradley and Julie Hagan, U.M.W.A. Local 6126, Frank and Sophie Leone, Confederacion Mutualista Mexicana e Hispano-Americana, Earl, Jr. and Sue Nesbitt, Trinidad Community Foundation, Rotary Club of Trinidad, Cynthia Wold, Judge Jesse Manzanares, Ret., Trinidad Area Health Association - Mt. San Rafael Hospital employees, The Extra Step Foundation – Devon McFarland, Dorothy B. Butcher, Michael and Glenda McMaster, Claude and Elizabeth Aragon, Frank Ortiz, Julie Morris, Evergreen Natural Resources LLC, and Col. Louis and Jo Ann Simpleman. Walsenburg donors included: Jay Davis, Roberta Newton Rosen, Rio Cucharas Veterinary Clinic, Nicki Bocim, Walsenburg Sand & Gravel, Gary E. Hanisch, Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center, Thomas Orr, Paul Morris, Carol Mason, Azada Casper, Barbara Baker, Deborah Donovan, James Fortarell, Desaray Martinez, Gerald Skrzynear, Erin Jerant, Bethine Marquardt, William Hull, Larrylee Martinez, Geraldine Cardenas, Sharona Whitley, Gaylene Smith, Ross Hallihan, and San Isabel Electric Association. Raton donors included: Bhatty4 Foundation, Roy and Leslie Fernandez, Stella Sintas, Connie Ascuncion, Conchita Sintas, Janet Leros, Mike and Sarah Kowalski, Robert and Eileen Gonzales, Kim Sandoval, Leroy and Debbie Sandoval, Carlos and Adelita Craig, Bob Beaudette, and Tony and Frances Balizan. Many anonymous donors also contributed. Also assisting with collecting donations for Colfax County, New Mexico were Security Finance in Raton, the Broken Arrow Motel in Springer, and Russell’s One Stop in Cimarron.

Volunteers who helped with sorting and delivering supplies in Trinidad this year were Doris Berry, and Trinidad High School students, Alberto and Ricky Felthager, and THS graduate, Bill Felthager. Chris Egland organized the project in Trinidad, Dina Medina organized the project at the Huerfano County Branch, and in Raton, Diana Sanchez organized the project.

“These volunteers have been an invaluable asset to the school supply drive. They worked many hours sorting, counting and boxing supplies to be delivered to area schools,” says Ms. Egland. “We are very grateful for their contribution, which is valued equally to the donations we receive.”

Supplies were delivered to all twenty-three schools prior to the first day of school. Parents or students with a need are directed to visit the office of the school to which they will be attending to request free supplies.

(L to R) Huerfano County Branch Bank Assistant Vice President, Dina Medina and employee Alexa Pino sorted and organized supplies for Huerfano County schools.

(L to R) Trinidad High School Students, Ricardo (senior), Bill (THS 2019 graduate), and Alberto (junior) Felthager helped sort and box the supplies for delivery, which they did later in the week.

Diana Sanchez, Vice President and Office Manager of the First National Loan Production Office in Raton, organized the School Supply Drive for Colfax County, New Mexico.

A room full of $5,100 in school supplies is ready for sorting and packaging for delivery to twelve schools in Las Animas County.