Meet Christina Beringer: The New Face of Thomas County Coalition Coordination

COLBY, Kan. - (Monday, March 3, 2025) – LiveWell Northwest Kansas has welcomed Christina Beringer back as the Thomas County Coalition Coordinator, a role she originally held in 2020 before stepping away when her family relocated to Texas last year. Now back in Colby, Beringer is excited to resume her work connecting the community with essential health and

wellness programs.

“It feels great to be back,” Beringer said. “Colby and Thomas County have always been home, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the community through this role.”

The Thomas County Coalition, a program operating under LiveWell Northwest Kansas, is dedicated to improving lives by fostering a healthier, stronger community. The Coalition not only connects local residents with partner organizations that provide vital resources, but it also leads its own impactful initiatives. Through programs like the Thomas County Farmers Market, Copeland Community Garden, food insecurity relief efforts, and substance prevention advocacy, the Coalition directly addresses critical needs in the community. By increasing access to fresh food, promoting sustainable gardening, and supporting healthier lifestyle choices, the Coalition is making a lasting difference for individuals and families throughout Thomas County.

Beringer shops the Thomas County Farmers Market with her children in downtown Colby. Currently, Director Cheryl Detamore leads the program which now takes place Saturday mornings from May through September at Fike Park in Colby, in addition to other special occasion markets throughout the year.

In addition to its ongoing programs, the Coalition hosts monthly meetings that are open to the

public. These gatherings serve as a space for sharing updates on Coalition initiatives, discussing volunteer opportunities, and allowing partner organizations to present their latest efforts. Together, community members and organizations collaborate to improve access to healthier lifestyle choices and ensure that resources reach those who need them most.

Travis Rickford, Executive Director of LiveWell Northwest Kansas, expressed enthusiasm for

Beringer’s return. “Christina’s deep connections in the community, combined with her expertise in nonprofit work and grant writing, make her an incredible asset to the Coalition,” Rickford said. “We’re thrilled to have her back and look forward to the positive impact she will continue to make.”

In addition to her work with the Coalition, Beringer is a nonprofit consultant specializing in grant proposal writing. She also owns and operates a boutique in historic downtown Colby, offering support and resources for new parents and young families, women’s and children’s apparel, nontoxic household cleaning supplies, and gifts.

A Colby native, Beringer graduated from Colby High School in 2005 and went on to earn an

Associate of Arts degree from Colby Community College in 2007 with an emphasis in Visual Arts. She later obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Fort Hays State University in 2010 and holds a certification in Grant Proposal Writing.

The Copeland Community Garden offers plots that people can rent as well as plots that are maintained by the garden committee-- produce from which is offered to the public and donated to the local food pantry. Operating under the direction of the Coalition, garden efforts are ultimately spearheaded by Robin Welchel.

Beringer and her husband, Curt Beringer, returned to Colby this summer with their three children—Burke, 11, Elle, 9, and Von, 2. Curt, also a Colby native, is an IT consultant specializing in managed services for small businesses and nonprofits in Northwest Kansas.

With her deep community ties and passion for service, Beringer’s return to the Thomas County Coalition is expected to further strengthen efforts to improve health and wellness in the region.

Monthly public meetings of the Thomas County Coalition take place at noon, the second Thursday of the month, at El dos De Oros in Colby. Learn more about the nonprofit organization by visiting www.LiveWellNWK.org/Coalition.