“It takes a village to raise a child.” It’s an adage we’ve all heard, and one that constantly plays in my mind trying to raise two young boys. Not long after becoming a parent, I quickly realized I couldn’t do it on my own. I need the grandparents who pause their lives to help watch the kids. I need a daycare provider who takes my kids in and treats them as her own while I’m at work. I need the aunts and uncles who have busy lives of their own but still offer to watch my kids, adding to the crazy chaos of their own tribe.

This fall I spent some time out in the fields with farmers. It hit me then, “it takes a village to raise a crop.” It’s the farmer who grows the crop. It’s the wife who runs for parts and prepares the meals. It’s the seasonal help who comes out of retirement to work long hours for several months. It’s the employees at the elevator who spend their evenings away from their family unloading trucks. It’s the repair guy who leaves his cell phone on at all hours to come fix the broke down machine. It’s the banker who offers financial advice to build and maintain the operation. It’s the accountant who manages and understands the tax rules. It’s the consumer who purchases the product and increases demand.

So yes, it takes a village. We all need a village to support us and push us forward. Let Bruning Bank be part of your village.

- Shantel Daake, Loan Officer (NMLS #1550238) -