On Friday, September 18th, the spirit of community, collaboration, and serving others took center stage prior to the varsity football matchup between the Paxton-Buckley-Loda (PBL) Panthers and the Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley (GCMS) Falcons.
Before kickoff, the Corn Belt Shrine Club presented a generous $500 donation to both the PBL and GCMS booster clubs. The pre-game presentation highlighted the positive connection linking both school districts with the Corn Belt Shrine Club—a partnership built over many years of collaboration, including active participation in long-standing community traditions like the annual Corn Belt Shrine Club Kids Day.
The evening also served as a heartfelt tribute to retiring Paxton-Buckley-Loda Junior High guidance counselor, Mrs. Stacy Johnson. The Corn Belt Shrine Club publicly expressed its gratitude for Mrs. Johnson’s unwavering commitment and selfless dedication over the years. In particular, her leadership was instrumental in organizing local student-athletes to volunteer and assist at Shrine Club events, helping instill values of service and leadership in the area's youth. Mrs. Johnson’s tireless support has left a lasting legacy across both communities and in the lives of the children the Shrine Club serves.
Reflecting on her years of service involving the Corn Belt Shrine Club, Mrs. Johnson shared that her journey with the organization began in 2015, emphasizing that for her, "it is all about the kids and building those positive and trusting relationships."
Below, check out photos from Friday night's presentation alongside memories captured over the years featuring PBL and GCMS student-athletes at the Corn Belt Shrine Club Kids Day events: