The Long County Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours gathering was at the Altamaha Federal Credit Union on Tuesday in Ludowici.  
AFC Branch Manager Christy Wingate welcomed the approximately 30 people in attendance, and then introduced AFC interim CEO Nancy Stanley and AFC board member Dempsey Golden.  
Wingate gave a little history about AFC.
“We look and act a lot like a bank, but there is a distinct difference between banks and credit unions…I have often associated credit unions to the movie ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’” she said. “Credit unions have done a better job at structuring themselves and protecting their member’s assets than George Bailey did, but our principles are very similar.”
She said that AFC was chartered in 1955 and opened its Ludowici office in 2005. With the growth of the community, a larger office opened in August 2010.
Wingate discussed the community activities AFC has been involved in, including being the corporate sponsor for the Relay for Life for three years and supporting schools by providing educational materials and assistance and sponsoring an annual $1,500 college scholarship.
“We are very thankful to the community for their continual support and look forward to doing what we do best … people helping people,” she said.
After Wingate spoke, chamber President Kadee Dasher reminded attendees of the Brown Bagger’s grand-opening ceremony at 11 a.m. Friday. Refreshments will be served and door prizes will be given away.  
Also Tuesday, Long County School Superintendent Dr. Robert Waters said the new 154,000-square-foot high school was on schedule to open for the 2013-14 school year. He added that anyone wanting to see the school as it was being built could stop by the school board’s office and he would give them a tour of the site.