CHIPLEY, Fla. –Credit unions in the Florida panhandle, along with LSI, continue to help members who were hit hard by Hurricane Michael, the strongest storm on record in area.
“Most of our members just witnessed the worst storm they will ever see in their lifetime,” said Community South Credit Union CEO Jan Page.
Located about 50 miles off the coast, Community South and its members endured winds of more than 100 miles per hour, with trees and power lines knocked down, and homes and cars destroyed. Many people went more than two weeks without power.
Community South Credit Union has been working tirelessly to provide their members with as much assistance as they possibly can. Its branches are back up and running, and doing their best to connect with members despite the lack of power and phone service many are still experiencing.
“When Community South Credit Union asked us to convert their collection calls to ‘Welfare Calls’ I thought to myself that is what the credit union movement is all about,” said Lee Kolquist, CEO of LSI. “True leadership is about making critical decisions in stressful situations and Jan Page and her team exhibited the best qualities of leadership during this crisis in their community.”
Community South Credit Union not only made the Welfare Calls to members in need, it also deferred loan payments, waived late fees and offered disaster loans of $1,000 at 5% interest.
“We know our members and our community, and we know that connecting with them and providing a glimpse of hope can make all the difference,” said Page.