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Community supports Good Samaritan event
Despite cool, rainy weather, the April 25 auction and dinner to benefit Fort Scott Presbyterian Village's Good Samaritan Fund raised more than $7,500, according to Executive Director Ginger Dierksen. "The folks at Fort Scott Community College were nice enough to allow some of our guests to park in their lot, and community volunteers shuttled them over," she said. "They just put on their raincoats, pulled out their umbrellas and were prepared to have a great time!"
All proceeds from the event will remain at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village to help fund the Good Samaritan program. This fund ensures that residents who qualify can continue to live at the Village, regardless of their ability to pay. "In our company's 58 year history, not one resident has ever been asked to leave due to a lack of funds," said Dierksen. "The Fort Scott Village commitment remains strong to our mission with the help of caring people who support the Good Samaritan Program. For this year's event, we sold 555 meals and hundreds of cruise tickets. We are so grateful to this community for recognizing the importance of this program and of the Presbyterian Village's mission."
Although a number of ticket buyers chose to pick up their meals at the drive-through, there was a good-sized crowd on hand for the silent and live auctions, which began at 5:30 p.m. Jeffrey Marlow was the big winner of the evening, landing a pair of tickets for a seven-day Western Caribbean cruise.
"Area businesses and residents always help make our auction a hit," Dierksen said. "We start gathering new items each year as soon as the event is over, and these donors are extremely generous in ensuring the success of the Good Samaritan fund raiser. Special thanks go to this year's cruise sponsors, including: Citizens Bank N.A., UMB, City State Bank, Jim and Jo Nixon, Carl and Irene Worthington, Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel and Diehl Banwart Bolton CPA's, P.A."
Dierksen also expressed appreciation to the Fort Scott High School string ensemble for providing entertainment, as well as to Presbyterian Village's dedicated volunteers. "We could never pull this event off each year without our volunteers!" Dierksen exclaimed. "From baking all of our yummy desserts to helping with parking, ticket sales, advertising, drive through and set-up, our volunteers are the best. Jim Stewart and Larry Mewhinney auctioned with great poise, while Fred Hixon, Tim Byrd and Jim Nixon set up, all giving selflessly of their time, and KOMB, FM103.9, who did a super job providing remote coverage of the event.
"The evening was so much fun that it was easy to forget we were supposed to be 'working' to raise funds," Dierksen commented. "I'm proud to be part of such a great community where everyone pulls together for the better good!"
Businesses and residents interested in donating items for next year's fundraiser and auction may contact Presbyterian Village, at (620) 223-5550. Gifts, from candlesticks to automobiles, can be tax deductible. Village staff can help with any paperwork.
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Editor's Note: Presbyterian Village is a part of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, a not-for-profit, faith-based organization of 17 active living and wellness communities in Kansas and Missouri. The organization has long been recognized for its reputation of providing quality senior housing. Presbyterian Manor communities mission is: "To provide Christian-based retirement living and health care services through a continuum of care, dedicated to the values of service, respect, dignity, and independence."