For over 15 years, OneBlood and Seacoast Bank have partnered to host a Remembrance Blood Drive honoring the lives lost on September 11, 2001. Throughout the years, the number of participating Seacoast Bank locations has grown from one bank to 28, strengthening the number of collections and impact of the partnership.

Our annual Seacoast Bank 9/11 Remembrance Blood Drives are taking place on Thursday, September 11 across Florida. All blood donors will receive a Free Limited-edition Patriot Day T-shirt, a $20 eGift Card, and a Wellness Checkup. Ahead of the drives, we spoke with Patty McAuley about our partnership with Seacoast Bank and why giving back to the community is so important to the company.

Patty McAuley, Seacoast Bank VP, Small Business Lender, and Banking Center Manager

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your role with Seacoast Bank.

I am a VP, Small Business Lender, and Banking Center Manager for our Corporate Headquarters located in Stuart, FL. I proudly celebrated 25 years with Seacoast this July!

What does giving back to the community mean to Seacoast Bank? 

Part of the mission of Seacoast Bank is to give back to the communities we serve. Giving back means getting involved and having a positive impact. Bringing a smile to someone’s face, providing financial education, supporting those in need, building a home, fixing a fence, volunteering our time to assist all the amazing non-profits across the state of Florida, and of course saving lives by donating blood!

How did the Seacoast Bank and OneBlood partnership first begin?

The partnership between Seacoast Bank and OneBlood began approximately 17 years ago when Seacoast Bank partnered with others in our community and OneBlood on the 9/11 Remembrance Blood Drive. Since that time the relationship has evolved, and Seacoast Bank and OneBlood have grown the 9/11 Blood Drive from one branch location to 28 throughout the state of Florida! In addition, we hold a blood drive at the corporate headquarters every 56 days!

Why are the annual 9/11 Remembrance Blood Drives especially meaningful to the bank?

This drive is particularly meaningful to us because it is a way to honor those who lost their lives during the 9/11 attacks and it is also a way to provide healing and hope. Many of us know exactly where we were and what we were doing on that fateful day in 2001. Each year the Blood Drive offers us a time to reflect, and it is a call to action to get involved and do our part.

Bonus Question: What’s one thing people might not know about Seacoast Bank?

Seacoast Bank has proudly served Florida for nearly 100 years, beginning with a charter during the Great Depression to bring stability and trusted financial services to local communities. What started as a single bank committed to helping neighbors has grown into one of Florida’s largest community banks. Through decades of growth and change, Seacoast has remained focused on what matters most: supporting local communities, building lasting relationships, and delivering dependable, forward-thinking service to every customer.

We are grateful for our longstanding partnership with Seacoast Bank and our joint mission in saving lives through blood donations. If you are looking to donate blood and make an impact this year on September 11, join us at a Seacoast Bank 9/11 Remembrance Blood Drive near you!