TAMPA, Fla.– Suncoast Credit Union hosted 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 more 2,000 hours, the credit union reported.
“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 1,140 to 2,000 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.”
According to the credit union, 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.
Since its inception in 1990, Suncoast CU said its Foundation has donated more than $16 million.