By Tom Wilbur

As far as I’m concerned, nothing could be finer than to live here in Salina. I’m a small town kinda guy, with a great love and passion for this community. Salina has been my home for the past 50 years, and like most of you, I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years.

It’s bizarre, and I’ve mentioned this before, but I feel like George Bailey, from “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Hopefully, you have seen that show. If you haven’t, pause this piece right here, and go watch it, and come back. I’ll wait . . . (inject the sound of a tapping foot here) . . .

Hey, you’re back! Very cool. See what I mean? George was president of a little bank in his hometown. I’m the president of a Salina bank, and I reside right here– in our home town. I got married, and raised my kids here, of my own choosing. I get to meet with bank examiners (who count the money and check our books) and there’s always someone more important than me to deal with in the community. I love helping all kinds of people with loans for all kinds of things. Most of the time we can help—in some capacity. I’m really optimistic about the future of Salina, maybe overly so. But I’m betting on us. And, of course, I certainly believe in angels. They are everywhere in Salina.

Really? You’ve never seen one? Maybe you haven’t opened yourself up enough to experience their outreach and love. Yeah, they’re out there all right. They hide their wings, and wear various disguises (there’s not an official angel uniform unless you’re from California, and carry a bat) but angels are living among us—making a difference in the lives of nearly everyone they encounter.

Salina angels. You want proof? I certainly understand. Believe me, anyone named Thomas gets directly associated with the word “doubt” from way back in Biblical times. So, yeah—I get it, and know how to deal with it. I hear you thinking, “Prove it, big fella!”

First, you must understand, angels typically don’t look for a lot of recognition. In fact, the ones I know don’t get a lot of statues erected in their honor—because they humbly, and quietly, go about their work—just being there for others. And just when you think you’re about to fall, these angels dive in and catch you. And hold you. And help you get back on your feet. And often position you for a better life ahead.

In Salina, thousands of angels are also called “volunteers”. The amount of time, determination, sweat and effort put forth by these volunteer angels in Salina is unparalleled in communities our size. We’re really good at it. From little league baseball coaches, to those who serve to help sustain and grow United Way organizations—from mentors in the school system to people who help mow their neighbors lawns– and those who serve our community on boards and in civic functions— these angels give so much of themselves. It could be documented in writing in the thousands and thousands of hours of volunteer hours, with one fundamental purpose—to improve the quality of life in our community by helping others.

I’ll give some specifics:

Know who Jack Parr is? Jack Parr is an angel. Once the dominant presence in the paint for the Kansas State Wildcat basketball team, Jack was the driving force behind the annual event we now know as “Project Salina”. Project Salina is a city-wide effort to provide food to agencies and organizations in our area—and that makes a difference. We all knew there was a need, but Jack took action, and lead the charge.

Ever heard Kaye Pogue? Kaye Pogue started Hospice of Salina, when years ago she saw a need to help and support people who are dying. Think about what type of angel one must be to sit at a person’s bedside—with someone they don’t even know for nights on end, as they help people in their final days transitioning from this world to the next. Holding someone’s hand. Reading to them. Counseling them. Just being there. The Hospice folks are definitely angels.

Loren Banninger? Yep. Angel. For over thirty years, he has brought great joy to the classroom and to thousands of students as an educator in the Salina School system—keeping love as the foremost driver in his mentoring of young people. Loren Banninger is a great representative of hundreds of great teachers I know, who have shaped and molded our kids into outstanding adults. Most teachers get a “Go Directly to Angel Status” card, for their commitment and service. (Nurses get that same pass. Seriously.) Loren is about to retire, and he will be missed.

Charles Kephart, was the founder of the Salina Community Theater. You may not know this, but he’s an angel, too. Year after year– sustaining and leading an “organization” in its early years with little monetary remuneration—he committed his life to keeping the flame alive for live performance in Salina, and look at the joy the Salina Community Theatre has brought to all of us, over the years.

Geraldine Briscoe was certainly an angel. The people she touched over the span of her lifetime in serving others, and helping bridge the gap between communities in Salina, was unparalleled. Her development and oversight of the Martin Luther King Day Care Center, and her love for other people touched the lives of thousands. She was humble, and determined to make great things happen.

This past Easter weekend, an angel among us, Janice Pankratz, became an angel above us. And today we had a chance to bid her farewell, and remember her for all that she’s done for the community of Salina, as she watches over us now.

The fascinating part of all of this is that I can name thousands of people who live and have lived among us who are angels—doctors, pastors, social workers, EMTs, civic leaders (and yes, even a banker or two). They literally come from every walk of life. I’m sure you can name a whole bunch of them, too. But as I mentioned— they don’t do what they do for attention, or to claim some insignificant award made of plastic or tin, for their wall or desk. They quietly go about their business changing the world one person at a time because they truly care, and choose to uplift others, where others fear to tread. That’s what angels do, and that’s what Christ asked us to do, when He told us treat others as we would want to be treated. A simple thing really, and yet, so powerful.

Have a great week, everyone. If you bump into an angel, thank them today, will you?

Or maybe today is the day that you should spread your wings, and make a meaningful difference in the life of someone who really needs you. You can do it.

Blessings,

tw

Tom Wilbur is President/CEO of BANK VI, in Salina, Kansas. He is a regular editorial contributor to The Salina Post, and other magazines, periodicals, and blogs. Tom is a graduate of Salina Central High School, and the University of Kansas, and has been involved in leadership in many area organizations. He can be reached at rockchalktw@hotmail.com