IN OUR COMMUNITY

AgFirst Farm Credit Bank Announces
Fundraising Results for United Way and JDRF

Columbia, S.C.— AgFirst Farm Credit Bank announced today the results of recent fundraising efforts for the United Way of the Midlands and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Through its fundraising events and individual and corporate donations, more than $49,000 was donated to the United Way and more than $8,200 was donated to JDRF.

“By supporting the United Way campaign, we can significantly improve the lives of those who are less fortunate in our own local community,” said Tom S. Welsh, executive vice president and coordinator for all of the bank’s community support efforts.
Cori Cantey, meeting and events specialist and leader for the United Way fundraising events, said “Every year, we come up with new, fun ways to collect funds for United Way.  In the past, we’ve had silent auctions, book fairs and even a cake walk.  This year, we sold “jeans day” coupons to employees and held a raffle for many special items, including a 32” LCD HDTV, and a stay at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, S.C., with breakfast and two rounds of golf.”   

AgFirst makes it fun to collect funds for JDRF, as well.  The theme this year was “The Big Top” so management dressed up like clowns and agreed to be “incarcerated” until enough “bail” money was raised to free them. Employees had a chance to drop by the break room to visit the jail birds and make donations to their favorite clown. Deborah Lucas, accountant and leader for the JDRF fundraising efforts, said “My son was diagnosed with diabetes when he was four and it has changed our lives. When I became aware of the complications that can come with this disease, helping to find a cure became one of my top priorities. I’m thankful to work for a company like AgFirst that helps support this goal.”

“AgFirst places great value on the family. Our community is also part of the AgFirst family. We support both of these worthy causes because we know that they will be here for us if we need them. That might not be today, it might not be tomorrow, but they will be there if we need them,” said Andy Lowrey, president and CEO, AgFirst. “When you think about it, that is a pretty good definition of family—always there when you need them,” he continued.
AgFirst is committed to lending a helping hand in the Greater Columbia community. Its employees actively support and participate in United Way, JDRF and numerous other fundraising activities.

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About United Way of the Midlands (www.uway.org): United Way of the Midlands is part of the national United Way movement, dedicated to making a measurable impact in every community across America by focusing on the root causes of the most serious problems. One of more than 1,300 community-based organizations, United Way of the Midlands improves lives and builds a stronger community by bringing together hearts, minds and resources from across the region and by developing effective partnerships with businesses, government and nonprofit organizations. United Way of the Midlands serves Calhoun, Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg and Richland counties in South Carolina.

About Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) (www.jdrf.org): JDRF was founded in 1970 by the parents of children with juvenile diabetes – a disease that strikes children suddenly, makes them insulin dependent for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. Since inception, JDRF has provided more than $800 million to diabetes research worldwide. More than 80 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and education about research. JDRF's mission is constant: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

About AgFirst Farm Credit Bank (www.agfirst.com): AgFirst Farm Credit Bank is part of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of agricultural and rural lending institutions cooperatively owned by their borrowers. Farm Credit helps maintain and improve the quality of life in rural America and on the farm, through its constant commitment to competitive lending and expert financial services. AgFirst, with assets of $26.5 billion as of September 30, 2007,  provides funding and financial services to 23 Agricultural Credit Associations (ACAs) in 15 eastern states and Puerto Rico. These associations, operating as Farm Credit and Ag Credit associations, provide real estate and production financing to more than 80,000 farmers, agribusinesses, and rural homeowners.