Just as the initial seed money for the Henderson Employee Relief Fund was about to be exhausted, a major new funding source in the form of a challenge grant has been announced.
Field & Main Bank, along with the Raymond B. Preston Family Foundation, is pleased to announce a charitable contribution in the amount of $150,000 to the Henderson Employee Relief Fund (HERF).
This commitment follows the establishment of the HERF emergency fund, which was announced on April 3, 2020, to assist community residents who have been suddenly thrust out of work by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Both Field & Main Bank and the Preston Foundation are wholly committed to their guiding principles of giving back and building community. As a community bank, giving back is not just a nice thing we do, it is core to who we are – an organization dedicated to giving back in meaningful ways,” said Scott Davis, Field & Main Bank CEO and Chairman of the Board. “We consider ourselves very privileged to be able to support our community members in their greatest time of need and are hopeful that this contribution will spur other donations from community members.”
Further, this donation from the Preston Foundation reflects the vision and values of its founder Raymond B. Preston. Preston started his philanthropic organization in order to perpetuate his commitment to giving back to the community and its people who had given him so much. Preston, former Chairman of the Board and majority owner of Ohio Valley Bank (Field & Main Bank’s predecessor entity), and his wife, Hattie, created their family foundation in 1989 and over the past 30 years has contributed millions of dollars to area not-for-profit organizations.
“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of Field & Main Bank and the Preston Family Foundation for this grant, which is vital to our mission to assist Henderson County workers at their time of great need,” the HERF Steering Committee said in a statement.
The HERF fund was initiated by the philanthropic Henderson Men’s Bourbon Society, which provided the initial seed money. The Community Foundation of Henderson is a partner and serves as fiscal agent for the Henderson Employee Relief Fund.
The HERF steering committee has a goal of raising $500,000. Individuals and organizations are invited to join as partners by making donations to:
Community Foundation of Henderson
1300 Commonwealth Drive
Henderson, KY 42420
(Please designate “HERF” on the memo line of checks)
Information concerning the Community Foundation is available at CFHenderson.org
Mark Weaver, board president of the Community Foundation, noted that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act — the $2.2 trillion relief bill passed last month by Congress and signed by President Trump — allows taxpayers to deduct a designated amount of charitable donations from their taxable income without having to itemize deductions. The rule will apply only to charitable contributions made in 2020. Taxpayers will be able to claim the deductions on their tax forms next year.
Applications for HERF assistance is available to Henderson County residents whose employment has been interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The assistance is intended as a bridge to help individuals until they begin receiving unemployment benefits.
Applications for individuals are available at:
· The drive-thru windows at the Henderson Municipal Center at 222 First St.
· The drive-thru windows at the Field & Main Bank location at 1720 E. Second St.
· The website of the City of Henderson (www.CityOfHendersonKy.org)
· The website of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce (HendersonKyChamber.com).
The application is also being shared on social media.
Completed applications must be emailed to mary.dunham@hendersoncco.org or mailed to Henderson Christian Community Outreach, 700 N. Green St., Henderson, KY 42420 or placed in a temporary mail box located outside the entrance of Christian Community Outreach at 700 N. Green St. Applications must be received by this Friday, April 10.
Applicants must identify the employer from which they are laid off and provide a contact and phone number at that workplace for verifying employment and layoff status.
Applicants may select assistance from one of three categories: rent or mortgage payment; utility payment; or other need.
A steady flow of applications has been received since Monday. As of mid-morning Wednesday, more than 225 applications had been received.
The HERF steering committee on Wednesday released a notation one worker made on their application: “We have always worked and have been so blessed that we have never had to ask for assistance until now so this is a little difficult for us to apply. God bless you all. We appreciate any assistance we can get. Again, thank you so very much. Words cannot express our gratitude.”
