We are all in shock over what transpired in Lewiston, Maine. There truly are no words that can capture the sadness we are feeling today, and will continue feeling in the days ahead. On behalf of both the Maine Credit Union League and Synergent, I would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to our credit union colleagues in the greater Lewiston area, the victims, and all those impacted by Wednesday’s tragedy. Scenarios like this are everyone’s worst nightmare and certainly not the type of incident we expect here in Maine.
We are touched by the many emails we’ve received from credit unions in our state and across the country offering their assistance. The Maine Credit Union League and Synergent want to help, and we know you do, too. We are currently assessing how we can best provide a lending hand and will share additional information with you as soon as it is available. Our industry is People Helping People, and I have no doubts that we will collectively do whatever we can to assist members, colleagues, and the community through this difficult time. In the meantime, I encourage you to visit redcrossblood.org to identify opportunities to donate blood in your area. Times like these remind us why blood donations are so important.
For those credit unions who have an Employee Assistance Program, I encourage you to share information about those resources with your staff. We all will be experiencing a flood of emotions today, and certainly in the days and weeks to come. It’s okay to ask for help and lean on each other for support. Maine also has a Mental Health Hotline. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please dial 988.
Your continued safety and the safety of your credit union, employees, and members is our highest priority. Take good care, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any member of my team if you need anything.