Frank Banko: Good Neighbor and Good Friend
Frank Banko is recognized throughout the Lehigh Valley as a businessman, entrepreneur, benefactor, and leader. In him, Westminster Village has a good neighbor and a good friend. He has stood by Westminster Village since it became a Presbyterian Senior Living facility in 1973.
Frank Banko is a man of deep loyalty to people in the community of his birth, and his energy as a business leader for more than 65 years is legendary. The son of a Yugoslavian émigré who founded a soda bottling and later beer retailing operation, young Frank was attending college when his father died unexpectedly. He stepped in to lead the family business. What began as a soda bottler in the shadows of Bethlehem Steel is today a large and successful conglomerate that includes six beer wholesalerships, a truck dealership, insurance agency, and a leasing and real estate business, among other enterprises.
Living on his farm and traveling to a different Banko Family Distributors location every day, Frank still finds time to serve on several community boards, help his friends, and visit residents at Westminster Village.
Campaign Westminster: Giving for Living gave Frank just another opportunity to step forward. To the Leadership Council for this significant renovation and expansion project he gave his trademark succinct and wise counsel. When the architectural plans for the project were unveiled, Frank immediately made the lead gift to the campaign, choosing the Frank Banko Dining Pavilion addition to be named in his honor. In another wonderful gift, Frank agreed to serve as Chairman for Campaign Westminster: Giving for Living. Why? Frank simply says, “I like to help my neighbors.”
The Frank Banko Dining Pavilion was completed just in time for Thanksgiving last year and has given everyone many reasons to be thankful. Viewed from the outside at sunset, light streams from all three floors of the dining pavilion, revealing residents, family members and staff inside dining, conversing and mingling together. “It’s beautiful!” says Health Center family member Brenda O’Brien, who transitioned though the construction process with her husband. “It’s so open. I love the overall view – the residents can see out and the sunshine can come in.” This beautiful view is complemented by the warmth, light and fellowship inside.
“Our intent with the new dining pavilion was to create a family-style dining experience,” said Executive Director Jerri Kohut. “So, our first design consideration was to create a ‘country kitchen’ that would allow residents to come to a dining room, over a longer period of time, and be served in a more leisurely and dignified fashion.” With traditional tray service, residents are fed in their rooms when the food arrives. The new model at Westminster Village serves residents when they are ready to dine or be assisted with dining. What a difference!
“The nurses are there encouraging people to eat,” says Brenda. “More staff are helping feed people.” Al and Mary Lou Grimes, residents and longtime Westminster Village volunteers, agree. “Before this, you had two people in a room, and those were the people you had breakfast, lunch and dinner with. Now we look forward to dinner where we get to share a table with two or three other couples.”
Today, the dream of residents served in a new country kitchen dining room with expansive windows and views on three sides has come true, thanks to the generosity of Frank Banko and many donors who have given to Campaign Westminster: Giving for Living. It takes a total commitment to make person-centered care work. At Westminster Village, in the Frank Banko Dining Pavilion, it’s happening!