Keeping the Momentum Going For You!

As a result of unprecedented flooding in the South Louisiana area, over 40,000 homes have been damaged to the point of being uninhabitable and their former residents displaced. Eleven fatalities have been reported so far as a result of this flooding. 

Many of our PrimeLending teammates were affected by this damage in one form or another whether it be the loss of a family member’s home, an automobile, or devastating damage to their surrounding community and way of life. However, we have several teammates who are currently experiencing the horror of the total loss of their home and all possessions. Like many others, some were forced to evacuate their homes very quickly by boat with a single duffel bag of their possessions in tow, while others left only as a precautionary method with barely a change of clothes thinking that they would return a day later.  This was not a place that ever experienced flooding before and most of these homes were not in flood zones.

As a company we have branches in Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, and Lafayette and we want to make a statement that PrimeLending stands with our employees of the state of Louisiana who have suffered unimaginable loss. Not surprisingly, the willingness of the people of this great state to get out and provide help has been immediate.  Make-shift shelters have been made anywhere that is dry and has room and donations of necessities (food, water, clothing, medical supplies, etc.) have flooded in from across the region. Trucks pulling boats have lined the closed interstates as once again Louisiana’s volunteer “Cajun Navy” sprang into action to get to the areas where people were trapped pulling more than 20,000 people from their homes. The Home Depot parking lot has now become a launching point for boats to get in the water and a fueling depot set up to ensure that the boats could operate in the most efficient manner possible to get to people in need of help.

A quick story of the amazing strength of character that the people of this area was relayed by Area Branch Manager, Patrick Michaelson, as he helped aid a fuel convoy taking gas to the boat volunteers in Baton Rouge.  He was filling up the tank of an older gentleman’s boat and while talking, the man told Patrick that his house was completely under water.  He lost everything but packed what few things he could in his boat and has spent the last few days rescuing people and taking them to dry land.  Let that sink in.  He lost his house.  Yet he knew his boat could potentially save a life so without thinking about himself or what he lost, he got busy helping.  

In Louisiana they have a saying, “When disaster occurs we don’t wait for the help….we are the help.” And now it’s time to show that PrimeLending can be the helpers as well.  

We want our coworkers to feel our prayers, our support, and our sympathies during this devastating time.  The monies raised here will be divided among our PrimeLending people in the Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, and Lafayette branches who have suffered as a result of the flooding.  We want them to feel at ease in the coming months as they take care of their families while putting their lives and homes back together.  

At PrimeLending, our core purpose states, “Working together to have a profound and positive impact on the lives of all we serve.”  This is true, not only of our customers, but of our teammates.  Let’s keep the momentum going for those employees who need it most right now.  

***We are hoping to collect as much as we can as soon as possible but as of now, there is not an established end date.  We will update with any pertinent information (such as the deadline to donate) as it is decided on.***
 
Thank you so much all for your support and please help us spread the word!

Go Team Prime!! 

 

- This page was made on behalf of the GulfCentral Area which includes branches in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee.  The page is managed by Laura Stubblefield of the Jackson, MS branch. 

UPDATE:
**Area Branch Manager, Patrick Michaelson of Baton Rouge, LA, has created a bank account strictly for the relief funds that are donated here on GoFundMe.  Patrick is the immediate supervisor of our flood affected employees.  The funds will be disbursed via check to each employee that has suffered immense damage to their homes.  At this time, we have three employees who have been severely impacted by the flood and we are committed to them, their safety, the rebuilding of their homes, and to making sure they get 100% of the donations that everyone has given.  Thank you all!!