TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL SCHOOL SUPPORT DRIVE GREAT SUCCESS!

Three Counties - Nineteen Schools – Over $15,300 in Cash Support Donated

            The school support drive recently held by The First National Bank in Trinidad and its branch locations was, once again, an overwhelming success! The twenty-third annual donation drive brought in a total of $12,319 in cash donations, and $3,000 was matched by First National. The $15,319 was distributed to nineteen 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, G.O.A.L. Academy in Trinidad, Trinidad Middle School and Trinidad High School, Peakview School, Walsenburg High School, G.O.A.L. Academy in Walsenburg, LaVeta School District, Gardner Charter School, Longfellow Elementary, Raton Intermediate School and Raton High School. Each school received a percentage of the donations in their corresponding counties based upon enrollment numbers; the schools will then provide assistance to the students who have a need.

     For the third year in a row, the Loan Production Office in Raton combined forces with Zia Youth in their school supply drive to maximize funds to get the children of Raton the supplies they need to have a successful year.

       “We received many positive comments and notes of appreciation,” says Bank President, Daryl Aubuchon. “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: Trinidad Area Health Assoc. (Mt. San Rafael Hospital), Shirley Donachy, Devon McFarland Arguello, Earl Jr. and Sue Nesbitt, Trinidad/Las Animas County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Trinidad Area Retired School Employees Assoc., Bradley and Julie Hagan, Robert Arko, Confederation Mutualista Mexicana E Hispano-Americana, UMWA Local 6126, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory R. Harder, Col. Lou and Mrs. Jo Ann Simpleman, Christopher L. Simpleman, Carmela and Robert Skalko, Claude Aragon and Keely E. Aragon-Horton, Maryanne Kaessner, Joe Nazzaro, Christopher Biagi, Juanita Vela, Annette Halbersleben, Mary Bishop, Janet Morris, Henry L. and Janine T. Solano, San Isabel Electric Association, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Comi Funeral Home, Century Savings and Loan, Jack and Georganne Vallejos, Arthur and Katherine Nicolai, Keith Mayberry, Santina and David Frank, Purgatoire River Trading Co., JD Partners Ranch, Lee Hadaway, Frank and Sophie Leone, Christine Vasques, and other anonymous donors.

       Walsenburg donors included: Cheryl Rogers, J. B. Vallejos, Mike and Dina Medina, Ernie Garcia and Desaray Martinez, Gerald and Marlene Skznear, Denise Pellon, Phillip Schroeder, Tracy Atkinson, Gub Gubs, La Veta Country Store, Diane Law, Heath Andreatta Excavation, Cuchara Valley Mini Storage, Jacque Sikes, John and Renee Albright, Patricia Davis, Larrylee and Sandra Martinez, Code of the West, Walsenburg Sand and Gravel, Charlie’s Market, Andreatta Well Service, LLC, San Isabel Electric Association, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, and Patrick McLoughlin along with anonymous donors.

       In Raton, donors included: JD Partners Ranch, Mae Regusa, Bob and Cindy Scheafer, W.A. and Kathy Priest, Ron and Linde Schuster, Kathleen Hanson, Tom and Fonda Davis and Juan Ridgeway. Many anonymous donors also contributed.

       Corey Gonzales and Christa Smith-Prieto organized the project in Trinidad, and Dina Medina organized the project at the Huerfano County Branch. She was assisted by Huerfano County Branch bank employees Desaray Martinez and Samantha Provine. In Raton, First National Loan Production Office President, Diana Sanchez, organized the project.

       First National Loan Production Office President, Diana Sanchez, presents a check for $2,000 to Zia Youth President, Linda Headley. Community donations totaling $1,000 were matched, dollar for dollar, by the Loan Production Office. Pictured (L to R) are Rhea Jojola, Thomas Nolan, Jeff McLean, Linda Headley, Diana Sanchez and Jadin Lunn.

       Trinidad Middle School staff were presented with a check for their portion of the $6,415.60 in donations received in support of eleven schools in Las Animas County, which included $1,000 in matching funds from The First National Bank in Trinidad. Pictured (L to R) are Sharon Barrett, Admin. Assistant, Lisa Glorioso, Science teacher/Athletic Director, Deanna Pachelli, Principal, Michael Guadagnoli, Assistant Principal, and Sherry Hinchley, Admin. Assistant.

       Bank employee, Desaray Martinez, presents a check for $1,850 to Peaky Panther (also known as Principal Lacey Byron) at Peakview School, one of five Huerfano County Schools to receive a portion of the funds. The Huerfano County Branch received $5,904.30 in cash donations, of which the Bank matched $1,000.