Kristen Jack’s volunteer efforts enrich Eustis, Nebraska

Kristen moved to Eustis (population 400), in 1995 after marrying her husband Neil, who graduated from Eustis High School while she graduated from nearby Cozad High School. The Jacks have two children, Samantha, who graduated from Eustis-Farnam High School and Hastings College, and Andrew, who graduated from Eustis-Farnam and is now a senior at the University of Nebraska – and plans to move back to Eustis next May.

When Kristen’s daughter wanted to move back to Eustis – but could not find a house to rent or buy – Kristen became involved with FOOI. The nonprofit group was started to save the International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) building in Eustis and adapted the name FOOI as an acronym for For Our Own Interests. One of FOOI’s causes is helping families and young people wanting to move back to Eustis to find housing.

In the Spring of 2022, The FOOI Committee started looking for land and was gifted three lots by three different couples. Funding was provided by Waypoint Bank – Eustis, along with a grant from Dawson Area Development. The group hired builder MB Contracting, and in July the FOOI Committee broke ground on the first two 3-bed/2-bath houses. The goal is to sell these two houses and then start building another one. The houses will be available to families moving into town, or to existing Eustis families in need of bigger houses, which will then open up some starter homes for young people wanting to move back to Eustis. 

In addition to FOOI, Kristen is active with The Eustis Area Community Foundation Fund, CDC – Cozad Development Corporation, and Eustis Methodist Church. She’s also a committee member of the Charitable Fund of Cozad Investment Committee and Waypoint Bank’s Board of Directors.

As well as being the consummate volunteer, Kristen serves as the president of VVS Canteen, a business started in Cozad by her grandfather, Wayne Davis, in 1961.  Her father, Dick Davis, became president in 1979 and she joined the company officially in 1991. Her daughter Samantha now also works at VVS Canteen, which operates in 12 states with over 500 employees.

Kristen appreciates many things about Waypoint Bank.  “It is nice knowing the people you work with at the bank.  They are very willing to help us, they know our history and needs,” she shares.  “It is nice seeing our bankers at community events – they are part of the community.  You are not just dealing with a voice on the phone, they actually know you. VVS Canteen has been banking with Waypoint Bank – Cozad for as long as I can remember, so over 50 years!”

Photo: The Jacks Family L-R Andrew, Samantha, Kristen, Neil