PAXTON, Ill. — The Paxton office of Farmers-Merchants Bank of Illinois today announces the donation of $15,000 to the Gibson Area House Rehab Foundation (GAHRF) as part of its Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Investment. The funds will be used to support the organization’s flood relief efforts locally.
Founded in 2016, GAHRF is a local nonprofit designed to assist homeowners, who otherwise couldn’t afford it, with all types of household repairs. Through financial donations, the organization fronts the cost of materials and helps compensate contractors to complete the repair tasks. GAHRF also manages renovations on homes for those with disabilities, which includes remodeling bathrooms, kitchens, doorways and adding ramps.
Most recently, GAHRF stepped in to support the Gibson City community after the tragic flood in early August 2021. The city, situated approximately 15 miles east of Paxton, experienced unusually heavy rainfall that substantially damaged nearly 800 homes in the area. In a matter of hours, the town was inundated with nearly a foot of rainfall, leaving all state routes and many homes and backyards completely impassable.
Farmers-Merchants’ donation will bolster GAHRF’s flood relief efforts as the organization works to purchase necessary household items for the affected homes and families, such as furnaces, water heaters, mattresses and more.
“We are honored to have had the opportunity to support the incredible work of GAHRF through this donation,” said Nancy Hofer, 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.”
“We are especially grateful to the team at Farmers-Merchants Bank for this donation, as it will allow us to continue helping those in our community who are still recovering from the flooding earlier this year,” said Ray Lantz, Board President at the Gibson Area House Rehab Foundation. “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.”
To learn more about Farmers-Merchants Bank of Illinois, visit www.fmbankil.com or find Farmers-Merchants on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.
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