PICTURED (LEFT TO RIGHT): Trent Florom (HSB), Teresa Gardner (HSB), Clinton Norgaard (HSB), Randy Klein (Farnam Vol. Fire Department Chief), Greg Blank (Maywood Vol Fire Department Chief), Tracy Sachtjen (HSB), Tim Nicholson (Curtis Fire Chief), Emily Anders (HSB), and Rachel Callis (HSB).
Funds will assist fire departments that helped fight recent wildfires
Henderson State Bank (HSB), in partnership with FHLBank Topeka, has donated $40,000 to eight Nebraska fire departments that responded to the Morrill, Minor-Hyannis, Ashby, and Cottonwood wildfires. Through FHLBank Topeka’s Community Assistance Recovery Effort (CARE) Program, HSB was able to contribute to each department while increasing the funding impact for every recipient.
The wildfires burned more than 800,000 acres in March 2026. The funds will be used to help local fire departments replenish supplies they used to fight the wildfires – including purchases of fuel, new safety gear, and equipment.
“We appreciate the joint effort with the Federal Home Loan Bank to provide meaningful assistance to the eight rural fire districts where donations were made,” said HSB President Kevin Postier. “The fires have had a devastating impact on the rural communities, and we are pleased to be able to provide some financial support as these fire districts begin to recover from these events.”
As a member of FHLBank Topeka since 1997, Henderson State Bank has access to products and services to help their community thrive. The CARE Program was created in 2025 to help FHLBank member financial institutions support their communities after a FEMA-declared disaster. The program matches $3 for every $1 up to $75,000 when an FHLBank member contributes to disaster relief efforts.
“Community financial institutions are at the forefront of supporting their communities through difficult times. We designed the CARE Program to amplify the contributions our members are making when a natural disaster occurs,” said Jeff Kuzbel, President and CEO of FHLBank Topeka. “We are proud to support Henderson State Bank’s efforts.”
About Henderson State Bank:
HSB is a community bank dedicated to meeting the financial needs of the communities it serves, including Henderson, York, Greeley, Giltner, McCook, Maywood, Trenton, Big Springs, Culbertson, Stapleton, North Platte, and Omaha, Nebraska. As a small, hometown bank, HSB recognizes the importance of giving back and has supported numerous projects that help strengthen these communities and make them better places to live, do business, and raise a family.
About FHLBank Topeka:
FHLBank Topeka is one of 11 Federal Home Loan Banks that accesses the capital markets to provide liquidity and funding for its members. With nearly $80 billion in assets and more than $4 billion in capital, FHLBank Topeka is a strong, reliable source of liquidity for its 647 member financial institutions in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.
Henderson State Bank Branch Manager Tracy Sachtjen presents wildfire relief funds to the Arthur County Volunteer Fire Department, McPherson County Volunteer Fire Department, Brady Volunteer Fire Department, Hershey Volunteer Fire Department and Wallace Volunteer Fire Department.
