Anita Crews, CEO of Country Financial Credit Union was the 2018 recipient of the Business Supporter of the Year. Under her leadership, Country Financial Credit Union in Macclenny, FL responded to the community’s needs annually through a unique financial commitment since 2015. This response has helped Adult Education in Baker County reach students in low-income outlying areas in life-changing ways. In 2015, Ann Watts, director of Career and Adult Education in Baker County, reached out to Anita about an empty credit union building located in Sanderson, FL, an extremely low-income area within Baker County. Ann’s intent was to ask how much the monthly lease would be if the school district were to rent it for adult education classes. Once she explained the services that Baker County Adult Education Center provides for the community, without hesitation Anita agreed to advocate to the Credit Union Board to not only provide full use of the building but also to cover utility and security costs that adult education classes could be held there. The Credit Union Board agreed, and a new partnership emerged. This financial donation is valued at approximately $30,000 annually for classroom space, $4,800 annually in utility and security services, and approximately $4,000 in building maintenance. Since this partnership emerged, Sanderson residents have had access to adult education classes and services where none were available in their immediate area. Sanderson, FL is an outlying area in Baker County with approximately 15% living below poverty levels. With Baker County having no formal public transit system, this donation has truly been impactful for Sanderson residents. One resident who is now enrolled in adult education is in his seventies and said, “having the Sanderson Center available has allowed me to return to school in my neighborhood and complete my education so that my grandchildren and great grandchildren will know the value of education at any age.” The Sanderson Center has opened doors for students to complete their Florida High School diploma, to complete high school graduation requirements for a standard diploma, to polish up their academic skills for employment, and to participate in individualized career planning services. Anita Crews is a Jacksonville, FL native and has been employed with Country Financial Credit Union for 26 years, beginning as a bank teller and working her way up through the ranks to managing the local Country Financial Credit Union. In addition to supporting adult education she has led other business to education collaborations in the Baker County School District including providing hands-on financial literacy events for students of all ages, supporting Baker County Education Foundation in student scholarship funds, and maintaining a business presence and involvement in school related events. Without her personal and professional advocacy support education, which requires an understanding of how education at ll levels improves any community, the establishment of the Sanderson Center for Adult Education and many great educational events would not likely happen.