Over the years, many different businesses and community members have purchased a set of longhorns in support of the foundation, and it has been a tradition that each year the horns are donated back to be auctioned off the following year.
The Clara Barton Hospital Foundation is excited to announce that this tradition will again continue as it has for the past three decades and - after two years of navigating COVID restrictions - it will finally be auctioned off in person during a live auction.
Despite having two challenging years, the longhorn tradition has continued thanks to the valiant efforts of Clara Barton supporters. Back in 2020, only select items were auctioned off through sealed bids sent to the Foundation, and the longhorns were secured in memory of Dr. Dave McMillon. Although some normalcy gradually returned last year, the benefit auction was still forced to move entirely online through a mobile bidding platform and Debra Brockel, PA secured the horns honor.
“I am thrilled that I got the chance to secure the longhorns in celebration of being a practicing provider for 30 years,” said Debra Brockel, PA. “This is the third time I’ve secured the horns honor and I think it’s a special way to display my dedication to supporting quality healthcare in our area.”
Brockel has been affiliated with Clara Barton since 2006, serving as a PA in the family practice clinical setting for 16 years. Recently, she’s made the switch to primarily working in Emergency Services.
“I absolutely love working in rural medicine and practicing at Clara Barton I feel at home,” said Brockel. “Having the opportunity to build a relationship with my patients and getting to know them both inside and outside of the hospital setting – seeing them at the grocery store, church, and community functions – is something I really enjoy.”
Although the longhorns are currently displayed in the administrative hallway at Clara Barton Medical Center, Brockel will continue the tradition by donating the longhorns back to the Foundation to be auctioned off once again at the 29th Annual Benefit Auction.
“Supporting the foundation has been important to me since day one and I admire the impact it has throughout the entire Clara Barton organization,” said Brockel. “I am proud to work somewhere that receives so much support from not only the community but internally, with departments supporting other departments as well, and I can’t wait to see who gets the horns during this year’s live auction!”
The longhorn tradition began in 1991, just one year after the creation of the Foundation and the name change of the Hospital. The steer horns were first donated to the Foundation by First Kansas Bank and
their president, Bill Lebert, of Hoisington. His wife, Kay Lebert, was a dietician at Clara Barton. The Leberts have been valued members of the Foundation and have generously supported the community over the years.
The horns measure over six and a half feet long, from tip to tip. In today’s market, the horns would fetch around $300 but are usually auctioned for much more. The proceeds of this year’s benefit event will help bring MRI services in-house, ensuring that timely diagnostics, treatment, and life-saving work continues at Clara Barton Medical Center.
Supporting the foundation through the purchase of any auction items supports Clara Barton Medical Center as a not-for-profit organization and leads to investment back into its programs and services. The longhorn tradition will be one of the many highlights during the live auction, allowing any supporter in attendance to bid and “Take the Bull by the Horns.”
Unlike the live auction items, additional silent auction items will be available for bidding on our online platform so anyone from anywhere can participate Friday, June 17th, and Saturday, June 18th and secure some amazing, unique items. To register for the online auction, visit one.bidpal.net/clarabarton or simply text clarabarton to 243725 to receive the link.