DENVER--Westerra Credit Union partnered with Mile High United Way for a special company-wide volunteer event where employees assembled over 550 kits benefiting United for Schools’ students and teachers, Women United Village and Project Angel Heart.
Westerra said the company-wide event is a continuation of the credit union’s “Westerra Cares” program. Launched last year, this combined corporate giving and employee volunteerism program focuses on three impact areas: education; financial literacy and community basics (identified as food, clothing, shelter and mental health). In 2022, approximately 200 unique Westerra staff members participated in this program, volunteering a total of 1,232 hours across the Denver metro area.
“While Westerra has contributed to the community through sponsorships, donations, grants and volunteer opportunities for decades, this past year the Westerra Cares program really increased our level of impact,” said Sarah Stowe, VP-employee experience. “Because of the success of Westerra Cares, it was a logical next step for Westerra to organize an afternoon of service that all employees could participate in.”
Mile High United Way stepped in as the perfect partner for this endeavor, providing the supplies, organization and structure of creating these much-needed kits. Additionally, since the kits benefit local schools and teachers, it was a natural selection for Westerra, which was founded by public school teachers almost 90 years ago, and continues to keep education as a critical component of their giving back to the communities they serve.