SUMTER, S.C. –SAFE Federal Credit Union has donated $25,000 for disaster relief related to Hurricane Florence. The credit union raised most of that amount through the sale of emergency lanterns ahead of the storm, then topped off the donation to make it an even $25,000, it reported.
Two days prior to the arrival of the hurricane, SAFE began selling emergency lanterns, and with overwhelming member response, sold all 1,918 lanterns for $10 each.
SAFE is donating the money to the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation, where it will be used to help credit union employees throughout the region who were negatively impacted by Hurricane Florence.
“Although the storm was weaker than expected, the trail of damage is still widespread throughout the Carolinas,” said Toby Hayes, SAFE’s vice president of marketing. “We are thankful to all of our members who purchased lanterns, allowing us to help fellow credit union employees who may be displaced or encounter a hardship because of Florence.”
“We are already accepting grant applications from credit union employees and volunteers and will disperse funds based on the need,” said Lauren Whaley, president of the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation. “Every donation we receive will be disbursed dollar-for-dollar. We are grateful for SAFE and their members’ support. Their donation will go a long way to help fellow credit union employees and volunteers recover from this historic storm.”