By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Santa Claus doesn't always wear a red suit. Dr. Ty Brunswig with Animal Medical Center in Great Bend instead went with an aquamarine, candy-cane patterned suit as he visited five local businesses as part of a second season of giving. Brunswig said AMC Gives began last year with a two-fold mission.
"We came up with the idea we wanted to highlight some businesses around that we feel go above and beyond," he said. "This is not an all-inclusive list. Fortunately, Great Bend has a lot of really good businesses that do tremendous things. We decided we were going to pick five. There's a ton more on the list, and hopefully, we get to those over the years."
The other part of that mission is giving back to the community. This year, AMC employees picked the businesses to be recognized. Each business was allowed to pick its own charitable organization or event, with AMC donating $300 to that organization and the business matching that donation. G-B Tires went above and beyond with a matching donation of $600 to Kids Ag Day.
"I remember going to Kids Ag Day when I was little," said Logan Garrett, a third-generation owner of G-B Tires. "It's grown into a pretty big thing now. I think it's important in our area that's so ag driven. I think agriculture is probably one of the fastest growing industries right now, so I think it's important for kids to get exposed to it."
Brunswig and staff highlighted the five businesses with a series of videos. Central Kansas Orthopedic Group selected the USD 428 Education Foundation as its charity. Bailey Zink at Maurices selected Prairie Godmothers since the donation would make its way back into the community via hardship grants awarded to women.
Lindy Nelson with Lindy's Pest Control gave to CarePortal, an organization that reaches out to local churches with lists of those in need of assistance. The 2022 AMC Gives campaign wrapped up at Central Care Cancer Center, with Shelby Poncin announcing its charity as the Central Kansas Dream Center.
"They help out everyone, and they treat everyone with respect," Poncin said. "They make sure no one's going hungry or unclothed, and they're continuing to add to their services."