Blankets of Love: Bankers' Generosity Warms Rescue Animals
3/11/2025 - Stories and Insights
You know what they say about our furry friends … cold noses, warm hearts. That’s definitely the case for the dogs and cats looking for their fur-ever homes at Final Victory Animal Rescue in the Midlands Region of South Carolina.
The winter of 2025 brough some unseasonable cold to South Carolina, and Final Victory recently put out the request for some blankets to keep their animals warm in the cold temperatures.
About the same time, a team of bankers at SouthState discovered some brand new blankets with an outdated logo on them, and they answered Final Victory’s call, delivering about 50 fleece blankets and car loads of additional supplies, from pet beds to laundry detergent to toys and food for the animals. Their reward? Lots of kisses, cuddles, walks and smiles from Final Victory’s furry friends who are looking for their forever homes.
Joannie Starling, Assistant Branch Manager of the Sunset Boulevard location in Lexington, S.C., even found love. She connected with a beagle and applied to adopt him or another pup in need.
“I loved being able to go to Final Victory and make those donations. The puppy love was unforgettable!” Starling said. “While I’ve thought for several years about getting a friend for my dog, Daisy, now I know it’s a must. Also, now that I know about Final Victory, I will make a point to send more donations that way.”
Jeff Manning, Commercial Relationship Manager, said, “There are very few things we can control on this earth. Being kind is one attribute we can always control. Before being asked to deliver supplies, I had never heard of Final Victory. After doing some research, I read their mission and was immediately moved.
“They’re a group of people trying to make a difference for abandoned and abused animals. While meeting with the staff, you can see their passion and love for what they do every day. I was honored to spend time at their facility and witness the great work they are accomplishing.”
Final Victory was founded in 2017 as a non-profit focused on fostering, adopting and rescuing pets locally and beyond. Final Victory often pulls animals on euthanasia lists in other shelters and helps find them homes across the Eastern Seaboard and even into Canada.
The mission of Final Victory is supported entirely by donations, enabling the team to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome cats and dogs, including those that are at-risk in shelters, abandoned, sick, injured, neglected or stray.
In 2024 alone, more than 1,500 pets achieved their final victories – safe, loving homes through the non-profit rescue.
Interested in giving a furry friend a fur-ever home or supporting Final Victory’s mission? Learn more here. Interested in learning more about SouthState’s involvement in local communities? See our Corporate Stewardship page.
The winter of 2025 brough some unseasonable cold to South Carolina, and Final Victory recently put out the request for some blankets to keep their animals warm in the cold temperatures.
About the same time, a team of bankers at SouthState discovered some brand new blankets with an outdated logo on them, and they answered Final Victory’s call, delivering about 50 fleece blankets and car loads of additional supplies, from pet beds to laundry detergent to toys and food for the animals. Their reward? Lots of kisses, cuddles, walks and smiles from Final Victory’s furry friends who are looking for their forever homes.
Joannie Starling, Assistant Branch Manager of the Sunset Boulevard location in Lexington, S.C., even found love. She connected with a beagle and applied to adopt him or another pup in need.“I loved being able to go to Final Victory and make those donations. The puppy love was unforgettable!” Starling said. “While I’ve thought for several years about getting a friend for my dog, Daisy, now I know it’s a must. Also, now that I know about Final Victory, I will make a point to send more donations that way.”
Jeff Manning, Commercial Relationship Manager, said, “There are very few things we can control on this earth. Being kind is one attribute we can always control. Before being asked to deliver supplies, I had never heard of Final Victory. After doing some research, I read their mission and was immediately moved.
“They’re a group of people trying to make a difference for abandoned and abused animals. While meeting with the staff, you can see their passion and love for what they do every day. I was honored to spend time at their facility and witness the great work they are accomplishing.”
Final Victory was founded in 2017 as a non-profit focused on fostering, adopting and rescuing pets locally and beyond. Final Victory often pulls animals on euthanasia lists in other shelters and helps find them homes across the Eastern Seaboard and even into Canada.
The mission of Final Victory is supported entirely by donations, enabling the team to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome cats and dogs, including those that are at-risk in shelters, abandoned, sick, injured, neglected or stray.
In 2024 alone, more than 1,500 pets achieved their final victories – safe, loving homes through the non-profit rescue.
Interested in giving a furry friend a fur-ever home or supporting Final Victory’s mission? Learn more here. Interested in learning more about SouthState’s involvement in local communities? See our Corporate Stewardship page.
