Christa Payne of Country Financial loves to celebrate – and she loves spreading the joy of celebration. Throughout the year, she decorates her office in accordance with the upcoming holiday, dons the most dapper of themed duds, and delivers goodies in person (pre-COVID) to friends, colleagues, and those who serve her local community.

Even in this socially distanced time, Christa has figured out a way to add some sparkle to the upcoming holidays for first responders, teachers, and front-line healthcare workers, who arguably need extra joy the most this year. In partnership with fellow North Liberty businesses, Colony Pumpkin Patch and Corridor Equipment Rental, Christa announced that she would be buying live Christmas trees for these workers, and even arranged free local delivery if those taking part weren’t able to move their tree home on their own: “Calling all front line workers!,” she wrote on her Facebook business page on November 24, 2020. “We saw you at the start of the pandemic, and we see you now! In an effort to say ‘thank you’, and spread more holiday cheer, your tree is ON ME.” 

Not one to leave anyone out, Christa continued, “Not a FLW? Anyone can stop by Colony Pumpkin Patch, pick up your tree to support local business, AND you can enter to win a $1,000 gift card sponsored by our office!”

Christa’s trees were available for pickup at Colony Pumpkin Patch for two weekends following Thanksgiving, and had “sold out” at this writing. True to Christa’s character, she’s already working on another way to give back to her local community by calling for submissions of home holiday lights. Anyone can enter, no matter the size of the display, for an opportunity to win a $100 Visa gift card. “We need to spread holiday cheer NOW more than EVER!,” the submission form says, which was written by Christa herself. 

“I think what compels me to keep giving is the sense of community,” Christa tells us. “I love to partner with local businesses to help increase their exposure. I think a good partnership can go a long way in spreading the word. And now, more than ever, we need to work together, whether it’s spreading cheer, raising awareness for a cause, or supporting local!”

No matter what is thrown at us this year, locally or globally, it’s clear that Christa Payne is dedicated to keeping our corner of the world merry and bright.

Christa expanded her reach for the Operation Helping Heroes program and recently was able to donate $1500 to the Tiffin Fire Department.

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