As the community credit union, Carolina Trust prides itself on living out the credit union philosophy, "people helping people." From the way we do business to our community involvement, we show our care for the community. We look for these same core values in the organizations we work with, which is why it is such an honor to work with The Ricky Sapp Foundation.

The Ricky Sapp Foundation was formed by NFL Veteran Linebacker Ricky Sapp to help kids become their very best and educate adults that their actions matter. Ricky saw the opportunity to take his platform and encourage youth to make positive changes within themselves, their schools, and communities. With his foundation, he's had the chance to speak to kids at school pep rallies, team sporting events, banquets, pre-games, college classes, etc. This past year, Ricky paired up with Carolina Trust for the I'm a Buddy Not a Bully project, where he attended school visits and spoke to kids about bullying and how it affected his life.

Along with motivational speaking, Ricky holds several events throughout the year with his foundation.

Since the NFL, Ricky has been very active in the football community. The Ricky Sapp Youth Football Camp is held in Bamberg, SC, annually. NFL pros, friends, and family assist Ricky with the camp.

The Ricky Sapp Foundation also holds an annual Back-to-School Drive, where they've provided hundreds of kids with support such as backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, new shoes, and more. Carolina Trust had the opportunity to help The Ricky Sapp Foundation with its Back-To-School Drive this year. It was heartwarming to see each child's excitement as they got to select a backpack full of supplies.

Click here for more information about The Ricky Sapp Foundation and how they're helping our community. Also, check out the Living Local Carolina Segment below, where show host Rainee Romero sits down with Ricky Sapp for an inside exclusive about his foundation.

For the second year in a row, Carolina Trust was named WMBF News' Best in Banking in their Best of the Grand Strand Contest. It is such an honor to be voted as "Best Bank" by members of the Grand Strand Community.

On August 26th, we celebrated National Dog Day; A day dedicated to appreciating man's best friend and the joys that they bring to our lives. If you are considering making the addition of a furry friend to your family, I encourage you to check out your local animal shelter. There are many shelters in our local community with wonderful animals looking for their forever home.

Like most things in 2020, the start of a new school year looks a little different this year for the students at Coastal Carolina University. Unlike previous years, the freshmen class will move onto campus without an official orientation, which showcases many of the school's significant highlights. As a Coastal alumnus, I've put together a list of my favorite spots to check out around campus. Click here for a map of the campus to guide you around to each of my favorite spots.

Last week on Living Local Carolina, we dove into Carolina Trust's Auto Loan options. As people are beginning to go back to work and school, we know that obtaining a means for transportation is becoming more prevalent, and we're here to help!

Purchasing a home is a huge milestone in many people's lives. It can be intimidating; I know it definitely was for me as I first began the process. Luckily, with the help of the mortgage team at Carolina Trust, I was able to put my worries aside and enjoy embarking on the journey of house hunting and purchasing my first home. 

As you may know, Carolina Trust has recently partnered with WBTW News 13's Living Local Carolina show for a Financial Friday segment. During one of our recent Financial Fridays, we had the opportunity to visit one of our members' beautiful home in Murrells Inlet, SC and talk about Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit with our Mortgage Loan Officer, Kelly Rowland. 

Planning for hurricane season and other potential natural disasters can be stressful, and doing so during the COVID-19 Pandemic adds new levels of preparation to consider. In these stressful circumstances, having quick access to supplies, finances, insurance, medical, and other personal records is crucial for quickly and efficiently, starting the process of recovery. Collecting and securing these items now will give you peace of mind in the event of an emergency. It will ensure that you have everything you need to start the recovery process without delay. With two tropical storms, Arthur and Bertha, emerging before hurricane season even begins, we want to make sure you have the information that you need to be prepared. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Head and shoulders above the crowd, with a striking gold comb and a proud strut, Chauncey is easily distinguishable among the array of students, faculty and staff at Coastal Carolina University. As if his distinct look is not eye-catching enough, his fiercely loyal and fun-loving personality has a magnetic effect on all of those who meet him.