(Branson, MO) – On Tuesday evening, over 45 employees and family of Branson Bank piled into the large log home that serves as the main facility of Jacob’s House at Thunder Ranch – carrying arm loads of presents that Santa would later distribute, freshly-baked sugar cookies, and all sorts of icing and sprinkles to decorate them.

“We were accustomed to spending a certain amount of money celebrating the Christmas holiday with fruit baskets or cards,” said Bill Jones, Branson Bank President. “But this year, especially with needs so great, we all elected to spend those dollars on something more meaningful to the community.”

Discussions settled on a small foster community contemplating their first Christmas “under new management” this year.

Jacobs House at Thunder Ranch, a foster care community originally established by Tim Hill Ministries, is committed to rescuing abused and neglected children – providing housing, loving care, discipleship training and education. Located just outside Branson, Missouri, on seventy-one acres, Jacob’s House is a unique community of family-style homes where displaced children are loved and encouraged to become spiritual and moral leaders with a future and a hope in life.

“Though we’ve only been in town for a short while, Jacob’s House has been in business for 17 years,” said Penny Robichaux, Executive Director. “I’ve fostered over 200 children into adulthood, and I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know more countless hundreds. We were delighted that Branson Bank found a way to spread some joy and spend some time with the kids.”

The collaborative effort of bringing Christmas to Jacob’s House included nearly every employee of the Bank.

“We had staff out shopping for the kids, a great wrapping party after hours, some who baked sugar cookies and others who brought in sprinkles and frosting,” said Lyndi Carnelison, Branson Bank Public & Community Relations Coordinator. “We really couldn’t have accomplished the task without everyone’s generosity.”

Branson Bank kicked off the efforts with a generous donation to remodel a previously unused storage area into a private family room. Jacob’s House, equipped to house up to 23 children – will host 18 this Christmas from ages 2 to 17.

After a few slices of pizza and a visit with Santa that evening, children tore into packages presented to Jacob’s House, intended to keep at the facility for the new family room, like DVDs, board games, blankets & video games. Branson Bank employees were on hand to help all the kids decorate all shapes and sizes of sugar cookies. Special presents for each child from “Santa” were stashed away that night, to be saved for Christmas morning.

“The experience was extremely rewarding,” said Jones. “Jacob’s House is a hidden gem in the Ozarks, and doing really great things. We couldn’t have chosen to support a better endeavor.”

Everyone is invited to the Final 4 Shows of #1 Hits of the 60’s for 2008. Dec. 27, 28, 29, 30 at 2:00 pm at the Jim Stafford Theatre. You’ll Hear all the Great Songs of the 60’s, You’ll Hop & Bop to all those Great 60’s Dances, You’ll Sing along with the Beach Boys at the Beach, You’ll Laugh as the Gang Goes to “Inspiration Point”, You’ll Revisit Motown with the Supremes & Temptations. 2009 brings #1 Hits of the 60’s an ALL New Show, ALL New Location, and an ALL New Time. Stone and Taney County residents are FREE with a valid driver’s license.

The Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Happy Trails Theater is holding Area Appreciation shows on December 29, 30 and 31 at 10 am. See Roy Rogers Jr. and The High Riders, with Dustin Roy Rogers, for just $10 per person (including tax) plus one non-perishable food item for Christian Action Ministries (CAM). Area appreciation is extended to residents of Stone, Taney, Greene, Christian and Ozark Counties in Missouri, and Boone, Marion, Baxter and Carroll Counties in Arkansas.

During this special promotion, residents of these counties can also get into the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum Attraction for only $6.50. So, for just $16.50, you can enjoy the Show and the Museum! What a great place to spend time with your family over the holidays!

On December 29, 30 and 31, show time is 10 am and Museum hours are 9 am – 5:30 pm. Reservations may be made in advance by calling 417.339.1900 or tickets can be purchased at the door. Please provide proof of residency.

Happy Trails!

Branson, MO – Myer Hotels is pleased to announce that Bill Cunningham, Maintenance Supervisor for the Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills, has been honored with first Choice Hotels Property Excellence Service Award for Region 13 for maintenance. This annual award recognizes an individual or department that goes above and beyond to surpass guest service expectations. As winner of Region 13, Cunningham was selected by representatives from each Regional Advisory Board, Choice Hotels departments, and the Choice Hotels field representatives over his peers within a 7 state area.

“Cunningham has been at this property for over 10 years. He carries out the majority of all renovations himself and is available for assistance at all hours of any day. If unable to fix an issue himself, Bill is able to talk another staff member through the procedure to resolve the issue. Bill is a very important part of the team that helps makes the Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills run smoothly, including recognition as a Choice Hotels Platinum level property,” stated Gail Myer, Vice President of Operations for Myer Hotels.

About Myer Hotels

In the lodging business for 40 years, the Myer family has actively contributed to Branson’s hospitality market for over 25 years and received numerous national awards. Myer Hotels includes the Best Western Center Pointe Inn, Best Western Music Capital Inn, Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills, Comfort Inn & Suites Branson Meadows and Comfort Inn West. The properties emphasize excellent locations, countless amenities and exceptional customer service while focusing on great value in the upper mid-scale area. For more information about these hotels please visit www.myerhotels.com.