![Lynn Pulford, Senior Vice President Mortgage](/sites/default/files/blog-articles/2016-06-30%20%20Lynne%20Pulford%20FB%20TW.jpg)
For many people, purchasing a home is one of the most significant financial decisions of their life. It is an honor and a joy to help our clients on their home-buying journey—and it’s a responsibility that we don’t take lightly. As National Homeownership Month comes to a close, I would like to take a moment to show our appreciation to the many people and organizations that we work with to help make our region a better place to live, work and raise a family.
Since our inception nearly 150 years ago, Sandy Spring Bank has been helping to build strong and stable communities through homeownership. And in the past 10 years alone, I’m proud to say that we have helped more than 12,400 individuals and families purchase a home. We are so grateful for the opportunity to serve our clients, and we thank you for trusting us to be a part of this important moment in your life.
Our non-profit partners across Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. also play an essential part in how we serve our clients and community. Many of these organizations provide critical services to some of our more vulnerable neighbors in need, including helping them secure safe and affordable housing, and providing emergency assistance. We also partner with various non-profit groups to provide education programs for first-time homebuyers and others who wish to purchase a home. We work together to ensure that these individuals are financially prepared and well positioned for long-term success.
In the spirit of National Homeownership Month, some of our Mortgage Bankers visited several of these partners over the past few weeks to personally thank them for all that they do, including Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland, Operation Renewed Hope Foundation, Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County and Greater Washington Urban League. On behalf of all of us at Sandy Spring Bank, we appreciate your efforts to make our communities thrive.
And to the nearly 70 employees within the Mortgage Division, and the more than 700 employees across the bank, thank you for the important role that you play in helping our clients achieve their homeownership and financial goals. From the personalized and attentive service that you deliver every day—to our clients and each other—to the hundreds of volunteer hours that you selflessly put forward year after year, you are what distinguishes Sandy Spring Bank and make this such a special place to work.