People living along the Gulf Coast know the damage and destruction hurricanes bring. Ivan. Katrina. Michael. Opal. Now, Sally.
While everyone prepares as best they can before a hurricane makes landfall, the damage is always overwhelming. So, too, is the response.
Neighbors helping neighbors. Family and friends rallying together to meet the needs of those in the community. Nonprofit organizations stepping up to help those most impacted.
It is what communities do in crisis. They help each other in unexpected ways, like sharing a generator among those living in a neighborhood, providing ice and water to those who have none and helping remove debris. It is the small, unexpected things, that make the biggest difference.
Scott Barrow, Regions’ market executive in Pensacola, is amazed at how quickly things are improving.
“Pensacola is our home, and I’ve been encouraged over the last few weeks at how many people have come together to show just how much they love Pensacola,” Barrow said. “Nonprofit and faith-based organizations have joined neighbors to help ease some of the burdens in our community. Whether it be providing a meal to someone hungry or a bottle of water to someone who has been picking up debris, we are helping in every way with Pensacola’s recovery.”
Regions Bank and Regions Foundation are helping with hurricane recovery, too. The bank recently announced a series of disaster-recovery financial services for people and businesses in impacted areas. Regions associates in South Alabama delivered cases of water, boxes of snacks and sanitizing wipes for crews at Baldwin EMC and fellow electric cooperatives working to restore power. And Regions Foundation, a nonprofit initiative of Regions Bank, is providing $150,000 in grants to support relief agencies along the Gulf Coast.
One of the agencies — United Way of West Florida — is receiving a $50,000 grant from Regions Foundation. Laura Gilliam, president and chief executive officer, said the grant will help people get back in their homes, help businesses reopen and more.
“The Regions Foundation’s generous donation comes at a critical time as our region is reeling from yet another disaster,” Gilliam said. “The donation of $50,000 to the Hurricane Sally Relief Fund will support essential recovery efforts in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.”
This week, Regions joined United Way of West Florida, WEAR-TV and other media outlets in Pensacola to encourage people and businesses in the community to join in the recovery effort. The Mission: Restore Hope event is raising money to help with individual needs. While much work has been done, there is much more left to do.
“The United Way of West Florida does incredible work in our community,” Barrow said. “In times of crisis, the organization becomes the lifeline to helping meet challenges. The long-term hurricane recovery process will take time and it will take support from everyone who calls Pensacola home.”
About Regions Foundation
The Alabama-based Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank.
About Regions Financial Corporation
Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $144 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates approximately 1,400 banking offices and 2,000 ATMs. Regions Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.