Suncoast Credit Union employees volunteer over 2,000 collective hours in one day
TALLAHASSEE, FL (November 21, 2016) — Suncoast Credit Union announces the success of its third annual company-wide day of employee volunteerism. In this year’s Pay It Forward Day, 950 employees and family members volunteered at 46 nonprofit organizations across the 21 counties that Suncoast serves. The time volunteered on October 22 totaled over 2000 hours.
“This company-wide outreach was established to engage our entire organization in our mission of improving the lives of members in our communities,” said Susan Johnson, Chief Operating Officer at Suncoast Credit Union. “We were proud to see an increase in volunteers this year from 851 to 950 employees and family members, as well as an increase in totaled hours—from 1140 to 2000 hours.”
To further assist in the employees’ efforts, Suncoast held a social media contest wherein employees who posted on social media using the hashtag #SuncoastGivesBack were automatically entered to win $500 for the nonprofit organization of their choice. The three winning employees chose to donate to the Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity, Everyday Blessings, Inc. and Redlands Christian Migrant Association.
“We were able to raise a $1,000 for Strides Against Cancer and have chosen Every Day Blessings as the recipient of the $500 donation,” said Debra Steele, Vice President of Member Solutions and one of the winners of the donation on behalf of Suncoast. “Thank you Suncoast for allowing us to help two charities—not just one.”
Employees had the ability to choose where to give their time, with some volunteering individually and some in groups. The nonprofits spanned a wide range, including eleven police and fire departments, eight children’s services, six organizations serving the homeless, five hospitals, five animal shelters, four nursing and rehabilitation centers, two cancer organizations, two home projects, one road cleanup, one minority organization and one juvenile diabetes research organization.
Through volunteerism and financial contributions, Suncoast and its foundation support a wide range of nonprofit organizations. The Suncoast Credit Union Foundation promotes the education, health and emotional well-being of children, accomplishing this by funding scholarships, public schools, family support organizations, medical initiatives and other charitable programs of direct benefit to children and students. Since its inception in 1990, the Foundation has donated more than $16 million.
About Suncoast Credit Union
Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state of Florida, the 10th largest in the United States based on membership, and the 10th largest in the United States based on its $17 billion in assets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union currently operates 76 full-service branches and serves more than one million members across Florida. As a community credit union, anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Suncoast Credit Union’s service area is eligible for membership. In 2021, Suncoast Credit Union’s field of membership was expanded to include public K-12 teachers, college educators, and educational support staff from all of Florida’s 67 counties. Suncoast is passionate about community support. Since its founding in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated more than $40 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education, and emotional well-being of children in the communities that the credit union serves. For more information, visit suncoastcreditunion.com or follow us on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
