On the day Regions Foundation announced a $25,000 donation to the Community Foundation of East Alabama in support of tornado recovery efforts, Regions Bank associates were volunteering in Lee County through two service projects helping people affected by the EF-4 storm.
Teresa Vick, Consumer Banking Manager for Regions, and her team of branch associates from across North Central Alabama spent last Thursday in Smiths Station removing limbs from damaged properties so downed trees could be cleared. They sorted through heavy damage to find belongings and other memories that could be saved for the people whose homes were torn apart.
In addition, the team donated thousands of tubes of sunscreen and lip balm to first responders and survivors who have been outside working every day since the tornado swept through the area, killing 23.
For Regions, a commitment to making communities stronger through volunteerism is at the heart of the bank’s mission. Throughout each year, Regions associates volunteer with a wide range of nonprofit organizations working to make life better for those in the community.
Vick’s team conducts a service project four times a year, often working with Habitat for Humanity or YMCA to give back to the communities Regions serves. Helping in tornado recovery is something Vick’s team of branch managers has done several times in other Alabama communities.
“Serving others helps keep us grounded,” Vick said. “We haven’t seen anything like what we saw in Lee County last week, so we were thankful to do a small part to help in the recovery effort.”
Three members of the Regions Corporate Security team delivered nearly 100 storage tubs and totes to help survivors store personal items found after the storm. The group wanted to help law enforcement and first responders with their work, and Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones connected the team with a big need in the Beauregard community.
Kyle Puchta, who handles incident response for the Regions Corporate Security team said the donations were making an immediate difference to those cleaning up from the storm.
“As we were unloading the storage bins at the donation center in Opelika, a volunteer was loading them in a vehicle to take directly to residents to use. It was unbelievable to see the destruction and meet with law enforcement in the area, who are working around the clock to keep the area safe. We appreciate everything Sheriff Jones and other first responders are doing in the area,” he said.
“Between the Regions Foundation financial donation and the volunteer commitment from Regions Bank associates, we are making a strong impact to meet community needs across Lee County,” said Rett Moncrief, Auburn-Opelika Market Executive for Regions Bank. “We continue to be amazed at the level of support volunteer groups across the state and county are providing our residents. Together, we will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who call Lee County home.”