First Commerce Credit Union and community members raised $10,847 as part of a grassroots effort to generate awareness and funds to support local animal rescue organizations during National Pet Month. First Commerce’s donation included money collected for four nonprofits: Hearts to Homes Humane Society in Nashville, Ga., the Humane Society of Valdosta/Lowndes County, and the Thomasville-Thomas County Humane Society, and the Leon County Humane Society in Tallahassee.
Last year, First Commerce launched the inaugural fundraiser in Nashville, Ga., to honor the memory of longtime animal advocate Elizabeth “Liz” Nix, mother of Rodney Nix who serves on the credit union’s Nashville, Ga., Advisory Council. Because of the fundraiser’s success and positive response in Nashville, First Commerce expanded its efforts this year to include local animal rescues in Tallahassee, Fl., as well as Thomasville and Valdosta, Ga.
“First Commerce is deeply invested in the communities we serve, and we continually look for meaningful ways to support local organizations,” said Cecilia Homison, First Commerce CEO. “I believe Liz Nix, who had a heart for helping animals, would be incredibly proud to see how communities across the region have come together to help abandoned animals.”
“On behalf of the Nix Family, we are pleased to see this fundraiser continue to grow and spread into other communities,” said Rodney Nix. “It is wonderful to see her legacy flourish and continue to have a positive impact on the lives of animals. It was a cause she cared deeply about.”
As part of the month-long fundraising campaign, First Commerce offered insulated grocery totes in exchange for a donation. Members also donated to personalize paper paw cutouts that were displayed in FCCU’s 14 financial centers. Additionally, First Commerce hosted five “Dogs for Dogs” community cookouts selling fresh grilled hotdog lunches and a chance to meet local animals available for adoption. One lucky pup even found her forever home when she was adopted by a First Commerce team member.
In addition to the Liz Nix Fundraiser for Animal Rescue, First Commerce is known for supporting many other local organizations. Another major community initiative will be back this fall, when people across North Florida and South Georgia will begin to see flocks of pink yard flamingos reappear as part of the #FlamingoChallenge to raise funds during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Embodying the #LocalStrong spirit, all funds raised are used to make a meaningful impact on the lives of local breast cancer patients and their families. Over the past three years, this effort has raised more than $200,000 for hospital programs across our region. For more information on how First Commerce supports the communities it serves, visit FirstCommerceCU.org.
First Commerce Credit Union was proud to present Hearts to Homes Humane Society (Nashville, Ga.), Thomasville Humane Society (Thomasville, Ga.), Humane Society of Valdosta/Lowndes County (Valdosta, Ga.), and Leon County Humane Society (Tallahassee, Fla.) with the money raised from the 2023 Liz Nix Fundraiser for Animals. To learn more about this grassroots effort, visit FirstCommerceCU.org/LizNix.
Picture 1: (l-r): Rodney Nix (son of Liz Nix), Cari Holbrook (Financial Center Manager -Nashville), Ashley Long (Hearts to Homes Humane Society), Twila McKinnon (Market Executive) and Michael Nix (son of Liz Nix).
Picture 2: Taylor Joiner (Financial Service Officer at Bemiss) and Shannon Hauser (Humane Society of Valdosta/Lowndes County).
Picture 3: Caylee Harrison and Nick Mottola (Thomasville Humane Society), Barbara Anderson (Market Executive – Thomas County), and Tiffany McCall (Financial Center Manager – Thomasville, Ga.).
Picture 4: (l-r): Lisa Glunt (Leon County Humane Society) and Isabel Montes (Market Executive – Florida).
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ABOUT FIRST COMMERCE
First Commerce Credit Union is an award-winning, full-service, #LocalStrong financial institution dedicated to supporting our communities for more than 80 years. Our not-for-profit financial cooperative serves over 70,000 consumer and business members throughout 40 counties in South Georgia and North Florida and has more than $1 billion in assets. First Commerce has 14 financial centers – Three in Valdosta, and one in Adel, Nashville, Ray City, and Thomasville, GA, as well as six in Tallahassee and one in Marianna, FL. First Commerce offers a full array of consumer and commercial products and services, as well as access to thousands of ATMs nationwide through a credit union network, and mobile banking, mobile deposit, and real-time text/email account alerts. First Commerce’s products include our Power Checking account packed with powerful perks, such as Paying Interest, Early Payday, No Overdraft Fees, and an Automatic Savings Option; our SmartStart Teen checking account as well as savings accounts, money markets, CDs, IRAs, auto loans, mortgages, home equity loans, identity theft protection, and credit cards. Commercial services include Business Checking, Treasury Services, commercial loans, and business vehicle and equipment loans. In addition, First Commerce offers a comprehensive suite of financial planning and investment services through our subsidiary Six Pillars Financial Advisors, and commercial & personal insurance through First Commerce Insurance Agency. Our FCCU Foundation is dedicated to financial literacy including free interactive online and in-person workshops on a variety of topics. For details, visit FirstCommerceCU.org or call 229.686.7444 or 1.800.533.5772. Insured by NCUA. Equal housing opportunity lender.
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