Pinnacle names festival recipients

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
It is time again for the 17th annual Pinnacle Bank Festival of Trees — which will be held on Friday at 6 p.m. at Weston County Senior Services center — and
this year the bank’s committee has
chosen In Home Services and the Newcastle Volunteer Fire Department as beneficiaries. 
According to Amy Hoffman, loan officer and festival organizer at Pinnacle Bank, every year the bank receives requests from local organizations, entities and nonprofits. This year, Hoffman said, seven organizations asked to be beneficiaries of the annual Festival of Trees. The event’s sponsor decided that both the fire department and In Home Services were most in need of the funds. 
“There is no specific criteria. We base our choice off of the needs of the community, whatever speaks to us,” Hoffman said. 
In Home Services, according to manager Kelly Page, is a branch of Home Health for Weston County Health Services. 
“We work in conjunction with home health. We have the same CNAs and average 47 patients,” Page said. 
According to Page, In Home Services offers patients services that include aiding with baths and showers, meal preparation, running errands and helping when a caregiver has to be out. 
“We also offer chore services, and the hospital maintenance guys are kind enough to do that for us. That includes yard work and snow removal,” Page said. 
Currently, In Home Services employees five certified nursing assistants and one homemaker.
“We cover all of Weston County. from Osage, Upton and Newcastle to a ton of ranches and homes in between,” Page said. “There are a lot of people without family or with family that needs more help than what they can do. It is a very necessary thing in our area. Wyoming and Weston County have a large retirement community.” 
According to Page, the money received from the Festival of Trees will go toward covering the organization’s expenses. 
“We have a pretty cut-and-dry budget, and most of our expenses go to paying employees. Basically, we are always in the hole, the program is, and the hospital pays the wages no matter what,” Page said. “In Home Services is offered as a service; it is not a moneymaker. Our operating expenses are more than what we charge the customers, so this money will go to helping to cover operational costs.” 
“The other entity receiving funds this year, the Newcastle Volunteer Fire Department, is dedicated to providing the residents and businesses of Newcastle and the surrounding area with reassurance that if disaster strikes, they will respond, “ Hoffman said. 
According to Chief Robert Munger, the department will use the money raised through the event to upgrade their helmets and other protective gear. 
At least 45 wreaths and two trees will be auctioned off during the event, Hoffman said. Also featured will be music by Al and Brenda Costello and Co., hors d’oeuvres, free beer and juice for non-wine drinkers and underage folks (donations appreciated), and the annual commemorative wine glass for $10 that features a special edition design for 2019. In order to participate in the wine tasting, which includes a variety of wines, a glass must be purchased.
“We would like to thank the many businesses and community members that are donating their time and resources to decorate the trees and wreaths,” Hoffman said. “This festival would not be possible without them.” 
She noted that the wreaths and trees are decorated by businesses, community members and organizations and are claimed and decorated before the event. Last year, the Festival of Trees raised $24,859. 
This year’s event will be held at the Weston County Senior Center on Dec. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. The auction is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m., with Justin Mills as the auctioneer.