By STAFF REPORTS

MADISON – The 10th annual Bank Independent Shelter Share drive collected a total of 246 items and $11,728.82 in donations. Additionally, the Bank sponsored 123 pet adoptions across partner animal shelters in northwest Alabama.

During the three-week-long drive, all locations of the bank served as donation points for pet food and supplies designated to support local animal shelters in Madison, Florence, Muscle Shoals, Athens and Huntsville in support of Shelter Share.

Bank Independent closed the drive on May 19 with Adoption Day sponsoring the adoption application fee for animals adopted from partner shelters. The Bank arranged to pay all fees associated with vetted and approved animal adoptions throughout the day.

“The daily needs of animals in the care of our local shelters are heavily reliant on the support of the community,” stated Bank Independent CEO Rick Wardlaw. “Bank Independent is pleased to be able to provide this much-needed assistance with the generous support of our team members and the communities.”

Every Bank Independent sales office across the seven counties they serve accepted donations of pet food, kitty litter, paper towels, nursing bottles, cleaning supplies, first aid items, and used blankets, bedding and towels. The supplies were delivered locally to the Athens Limestone Animal Shelter and Huntsville Animal Shelter, along with others throughout north Alabama.

Bank Independent has a stated mission to make a positive difference in people’s lives. The Helping Hands initiatives are an important component to the success of this mission. The Shelter Share drive was established in 2014 as a result of Bank employees seeing a need and taking action. Over the last 10 years Shelter Share has collected and distributed 15,076 items and $171,550.07 in community donations for the benefit of local shelters.