Pampinto Funds Raised for NW Relief

FLORENCE–The three Merrill Gardens retirement communities in Alabama came together to raise funds for victims of last spring’s devastating tornadoes. Many people in Alabama suffered tremendous losses during the spring storms and they are still depending on the Red Cross for assistance. The Red Cross depends on financial donations to help people affected by these and other disasters.

The community events were open to the general public for a minimum $10 donation. All of the food and labor was donated by Merrill Gardens. The three facilities raised a total of $2,922. Merrill Gardens at Florence raised $1,363.78 at their event for storm victims in northwest Alabama.

For more information, please call Jennifer Reding, Community Relations Director, at 256-740-6999 or contact her via email at: marketing. florence@merrillgardens.com.

Designation for Pampinto

SHOALS - Joe Pampinto of Muscle Shoals has earned the professional designation of Advanced Certified Municipal Official. In order to achieve this high honor, a municipal official must first complete 40 credit hours of training conducted or endorsed by the Alabama League of Municipalities to receive the designation of Certified Municipal Official. The individual must then complete an additional 40 hours of training to receive an advanced certification. Pampinto was recognized for accomplishments during graduation ceremonies which took place in Montgomery on August 18. Pampinto is a member of the 13th graduating class of Advanced Certified Municipal Officials.

Get Cash For Your Cause

MUSCLE SHOALS – Young & Free® Alabama, powered by Listerhill Credit Union, today announced their latest philanthropic campaign to help out the community: “Cash for Your Cause,” awarding $4,000 to causes locally.

Online visitors to YoungFreeAlabama.com are invited to create a 60-second video about a cause that means something to them and complete the entry form on website. All videos are posted for viewing. Once the application time frame is over, the public votes online for their favorite. The video with the most votes wins - $3,000 for the cause and $500 for the entrant.

Second and third prizes are $500 for the cause and $100 for the entrant.

The deadline to enter is October 11, 2011. Check out complete details at YoungFreeAlabama.com.

Estave, Rhodes Promoted

SHEFFIELD–Bank Independent recently announced two promotions.

Chris Estave, a mortgage originator for Bank Independent, will assume the role of mortgage lending officer with daily responsibilities to include lending and sales. Originally joining Bank Independent as a teller and later promoted to sales officer at the Sheffield branch, Estave adds 12 years of solid industry experience to his new position.

Estave received his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a concentration in finance from the University of North Alabama. His areas of expertise include lending and customer service. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Shoals Home Builders Association and is involved with Meals on Wheels with the local Kiwanis Club.

Dustin Rhodes has been promoted to sales officer at the Pine Street branch and will serve customers with lending needs. Rhodes joined Bank Independent as a credit analyst in Credit Administration with daily responsibilities such as reviewing personal and business loans and financial statements. Prior to joining Bank Independent, Rhodes served as a teller for First Metro Bank.

Rhodes graduated from the University of North Alabama and received his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a concentration in economics. He is currently attending Alabama Banking School from which he will graduate in 2012.