Business of the Year’s community involvement blossoms

Where does one go for chiropractic care, an excellent listening ear, and some fresh fruits and veggies?

Brandt Chiropractic Clinic has gone above and beyond to care for the physical and emotional health of its patients and community members, and because of that, it was named the Business of the Year during Holyoke Chamber of Commerce’s community excellence awards program earlier this year.

The nomination letter said things like, “Always great service from Dr. Brandt and the front desk staff!” “They have really helped the community through the pandemic,” and “True consideration of care. Always puts his patients first.”

Dr. Jerry Brandt and his wife, Debbie, are in their 31st year of business in Holyoke, and current administrative assistants are Chris Gerk and Janice Kilpatrick.

“It’s truly an honor to be nominated and selected,” said Brandt.

“We are here to take care of our patients,” he said. “The health goes beyond how they feel.”

While staff members at Brandt Chiropractic Clinic aren’t licensed counselors, they said there’s definitely a lot of listening that goes on in the office. “There’s more to chiropractic care,” said Brandt, noting that they are in tune with how a patient’s emotional status is affecting his or her physical health. “They are a whole being,” he said.

“We try to be welcoming and friendly,” said Kilpatrick.

Patients come to Brandt Chiropractic Clinic from all over the region. “His community is more than just Phillips County,” said Gerk.

Both Kilpatrick and Gerk said they appreciate the work atmosphere provided by the Brandts. “It’s great to have these people in my life personally,” said Kilpatrick. “It’s fun to see all ages benefiting from Dr. Brandt’s services.”

“Community involvement is important because the people in the community are our patients,” said Brandt.

The business is heavily involved in the chamber of commerce and supports community endeavors like the hospital foundation’s Legacy Event, the Peerless Theatre and senior exercise classes. It also houses nonprofits in its office building, including the Red Cross, Alcoholics Anonymous, Youth Challenge and A Caring Pregnancy Resource Center.

“Brandt Chiropractic’s dedication to the chamber is also very diligent as the business is always present at meetings, events and puts in volunteer hours to help the chamber with revenue-driving projects that fund the organization,” said the nomination letter. “Dr. Brandt is well known for his expertise in making the perfect funnel-cake batter at fair time, too.”

Serving in a concession stand, among other activities, follows Brandt’s philosophy that “it’s not what the community can do for you but what you can do for the community.”

“The good we do feeds other people’s good,” said Brandt.

And speaking of feeding the community, Brandt is starting his third year of involvement with the community garden project, which has partnered with Colorado State University and Klover Kare in the past.

“Brandt Chiropractic services patients to the highest of standards but also puts that same energy into servicing the community through hours of volunteer labor on the community garden,” said the nomination letter.

Brandt has personally helped tend the garden and has shared his gardening knowledge with other volunteers.

A couple of years ago when the community garden needed a place to put the produce, Brandt Chiropractic Clinic put a table outside its office and regularly posted photos online of the foods that were available to community members for free.

Brandt’s daughter Nicole helped build the table and nicknamed it the “Veggie Table.”

The Veggie Table was also a place where community members could bring extra produce from their own gardens, and Brandt said about 1,500 pounds of food from the community doubled the 1,500 pounds that were grown in the community garden.

“I expect it to blossom this year,” said Brandt, and his wife commented that he’s always willing to take what is available and make something more.

They might just need a bigger table this summer.

The Brandts continue to look for more ways to give back to their community. After raising six children here, they’re excited that three of their adult kids have moved back to Holyoke. “You have to be part of the community you live in,” said Brandt. “And Holyoke really is a great community to live in.”