Kearney Businesses Keep Giving Back

Businesses in and around Kearney know that supporting our students is extremely important. In fact, a lot of businesses make supporting our schools a priority.

Tracy Tucker - State Farm

Tracy Tucker - State Farm

One of those businesses is State Farm agent Tracy Tucker. Every year, Tucker organizes events to help fund, feed, clothe or supply Kearney School District students. In the past, she has been a donation drop-off location for these necessities. She not only helps students, but also actively supports the Kearney Food Pantry, Kearney fire, police, and EMT personnel, the Kearney Family Foundation, among many others.

“I grew up in a small town and I remember there were always certain people that stepped up to make sure the community was taken care of,” Tucker said. “I remember thinking that I’d like to make a difference in my town someday just like they did.”

All this week, State Farm is collecting new and gently used clothes and shoes to be distributed during the Back to School Resource Fair on August 7th and 8th . They need clothes of all sizes (youth small to adult xxl).

There is a bin outside for the clothes/shoes and a separate bin inside for school supplies. Tucker’s State Farm office is located next to Price Chopper at 751 Watson Drive.

When asked what motivates her to give so much to the community Tucker said, “Kearney and State Farm have blessed me so much that I don’t really give it much thought. It just comes naturally to want to give back”.

Debbie Holt - Re/Max

Debbie Holt - Re/Max

Another business in Kearney that gives back to the community is RE/MAX Advantage agent Debbie Holt. She also organizes events around the community such as music in the park, clothing and supply drives, as well as actively supports the Kearney Food Pantry, Kearney fire, police, and EMT personnel, the Kearney Family Foundation, and is an active member of the Kearney Rotary Club.

While clothing and supply drives are not new ideas, working in the COVID-19 era calls for out-of-the-box thinking. So Holt started a mask drive initiative for this year’s Back to School Resource Fair.

“Although it was my idea to start a collection for masks so that students could get them at the resource fair, the RE/MAX office thought it was a great idea and ran with it,” says Holt.

This week RE/MAX Advantage is collecting masks that will distributed during the Back to School Resource Fair on August 7th and 8th . They are asking for adult and child sized masks.

There is a container inside the office foyer at 300 S. Platte Clay Way for the Kearney School District. If you prefer to have an agent coordinate a mask pickup you can arrange that by calling the office at 816-903-1500.

When asked what motivates her to give so much to the community, Holt said, “There have been times in my life when I’ve needed a little help or encouragement and people have helped me out. Now it’s my turn to be a helping hand or cheerleader for others, and in time it will be their turn. If we take our eyes off ourselves and serve one another our world, but more specifically our community becomes a better place”.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this report