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(St. Joseph, MO September 13, 2004) - Lowell C. Kruse will receive the St. Joseph Community Service Award sponsored by Commerce Bank at a noon, Wednesday, September 15 at the St. Joseph Country Club. As recognition for his community service, a total of $7,500 will be given in his honor to emPower Plant and Success by 6 by Commerce Bank and the William T. Kemper Foundation - Commerce Bank Trustee.
Emil Sechter, President, Commerce Bank, St. Joseph, will present the award. "Lowell exemplifies the community spirit we are seeking when making this award. Lowell's efforts over the years have contributed to making the St. Joseph area a wonderful community in which to live, work and raise a family," Sechter said.
Lowell Kruse moved to St. Joseph in 1984 when he was named President and CEO of Heartland Health, a fully integrated regional healthcare delivery and financing system. He has been committed to community service and volunteerism from the very beginning. Kruse is Chairman of Success by 6 with the St. Joseph United Way. He has served as Chairman of the Boards for the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce and the St. Joseph Development Corporation. He has served on many local boards including the United Way and the Progressive Board of St. Joseph.
Kruse has received recognition for his contributions within the healthcare field and for his volunteerism activities. He was recognized this year with the Vision to Action Award by the
Center for Practical Bioethics, a part of Midwest Bioethcis. The American Hospital Association awarded Kruse its Justin Ford Kimball Innovators Award in 2003.
Success by 6 and emPower Plant, the grant recipients on behalf of Kruse, have the welfare of children as their respective missions. Working together to create a community where all children thrive is United Way's mission for Success by 6. This community-based movement of public and private partners delivers proven solutions for children with the goal of ensuring all children ages zero to six are healthy, nurtured and ready to succeed.
emPower Plant will be an innovative, one-of-a-kind experience that brings schools and communities together to teach middle school students the value of becoming healthier, more engaged citizens. emPower Plant is being created by the Heartland Foundation to be a world-class facility. It is developed as the Innovation of Promise Partner for America's Promise.
The Community Service Award is dedicated to recognizing individuals who make an exceptional contribution to their communities and the people who live there. A special grant given in the name of the honoree is awarded to the nonprofit agencies of the honoree's choice. The potential award recipients are identified through a thoughtful consultation process with Commerce Bank officers and advisory board members.
The William T. Kemper Foundation, Commerce Bank Trustee, was established in 1989 following Mr. Kemper's death. The foundation is dedicated to continuing Mr. Kemper's lifelong interest in improving the human condition and quality of life. The Foundation supports Midwest communities and concentrates on initiatives in education, health and human services, civic improvement and the arts.
About Commerce Bank
Commerce Bank is the principal subsidiary of Commerce Bancshares Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH), a $14.4 billion regional bank holding company. For 148 years, Commerce Bank, St. Joseph has been meeting the financial services needs of individuals and businesses. Commerce provides a diversified line of financial services, including business and personal banking, wealth management and estate planning and investments through its affiliated companies. Commerce Bancshares operates across three states with nearly 330 locations and also has operating subsidiaries involved in mortgage banking, credit related insurance, venture capital and real estate activities.
For more information contact:
Emil Sechter
President
816-236-5739
Website: www.commercebank.com
e-mail: mymoney@commercebank.com
SYMBOL: CBSH
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