SOUTHERN STATES CONTRIBUTES TO J.W. DARDEN FOUNDATION

 OPELIKA, AL. (April 1, 2020) – Southern States Bank contributed $25,000 to the J.W. Darden Foundation.  A check was presented to Foundation Board members on March 27th at the Opelika office of Southern States Bank located at 2601 Frederick Road.

In attendance for the presentation of the check were Steve Whatley, Chairman and CEO of Southern States Bank, Mark Chambers, President of Southern States Bank, Mr. and Mrs. George Allen, J.W. Darden Foundation Board members, Barbara Patton, J.W. Darden Foundation Board member and Kathy Jo Ellison, Professor at Auburn University.

“Southern States Bank is honored to make this contribution to the Dr. John W. Darden Foundation of Opelika, Alabama,” said Steve Whatley.  This Foundation has a great cause of furthering medical educational training in our city and state.  We praise the efforts and results of the dedicated Board of Directors of the J.W. Darden Foundation in Lee County and Opelika-Auburn, Alabama for their mission and their great work.  We look forward to continuing to support this wonderful Foundation and these outstanding leaders.”

According to Foundation President George Allen, “The J.W. Darden Foundation Board members are very grateful to Southern States Bank and it’s local officers for their contribution.  It is because of donors like this and others, we are able to perpetuate the legacy of Dr. J.W. Darden through free health care services and scholarships.”

The J.W. Darden Foundation, established in 2001, is named in honor of Dr. Darden, the first black physician in Opelika, Alabama and Lee County.  The primary purpose of the Foundation is to provide health screenings and education to uninsured citizens.  A collaborative effort of the J.W. Darden Foundation, Inc., the East Alabama Medical Center Faith Community Nurse Program, and the Auburn University School of Nursing, the J.W. Darden Wellness Center offers expert health information free of charge.  In addition, the Foundation provides scholarships to minority and underprivileged healthcare students in and around Lee County.