As a community-focused residential lender, we delight ourselves within the robust relationships we’ve developed with our surrounding neighborhoods. Supporting these communities is a important a part of our id, so in Could, we launched Volunteer Week – an thrilling new initiative to rally collectively within the spirit of giving again!
Throughout the week of Could 15-19, about 200 members of the First Residence workforce volunteered their time, expertise, and power to assist the important work of six native nonprofits. The top outcome was a collection of memorable experiences the place workforce members spent high quality time collectively, giving again in a significant means whereas offering assist and consciousness for these vital organizations.
Right here’s a have a look at every of the nonprofits we partnered with throughout Volunteer Week:
Pathways to Housing DC (Washington, DC)
For the final 5 years, First Residence Mortgage’s Chevy Chase, MD department has been proudly donating $100 for each closing they’ve carried out to the exceptional Pathways to Housing DC, a neighborhood nonprofit working to finish homelessness whereas bringing well being and hope to those that have been affected by it. For Volunteer Week, the workplace bought extra hands-on with their giving, assembling welcome-home baskets and hygiene kits for members of the neighborhood who’ve lately skilled homelessness.
“As a lender, we’re capable of assist lots of people transfer into their first house,” mentioned Jake Ryon, mortgage officer for our Chevy Chase department. “However there are some individuals we are able to’t assist – and so they need to have these similar alternatives. Pathways is that this group that runs parallel to what we do, and it helps these we are able to’t assist. That’s why we’re very enthusiastic about it.”
Ronald McDonald Home of Maryland (Baltimore, MD)
Members of our Canton department and our company workplace in Baltimore assembled and delivered non-perishable donations for friends of The Ronald McDonald Home of Maryland, which has been offering a “home-away-from-home” for critically unwell kids and their households for over 40 years.
“We’re very concerned in our neighborhood right here,” mentioned Jack Hinder, gross sales supervisor of our Canton workplace. “We do the majority of our enterprise right here in Baltimore and the encompassing county. It feels good to present again to the neighborhood that’s given us a lot.”
“It was a really overwhelming response from everybody in our department and at company, who needed to not solely donate, but additionally volunteer their time and go drop off the products on the Ronald McDonald Home,” mentioned Ayaz Rahemanji, department supervisor of our Canton workplace.
Nourishing Bethesda (Bethesda, MD)
Our Bethesda workplace partnered with Nourishing Bethesda, whose mission is to combat meals insecurity within the space by offering nutritious meals and neighborhood assist to neighbors in want. Volunteers put collectively luggage of snacks and nonperishable meals that may go to seniors, schoolchildren, and others locally who’re scuffling with meals insecurity.
“I believe volunteering is our means of claiming thanks to the area people,” mentioned Rob Mercer, department supervisor of our Bethesda workplace. “It’s additionally a fantastic workforce constructing expertise. It’s good to assist those that aren’t as lucky as us – it simply feels nice.”
Calvert County Parks & Recreation (Prince Frederick, MD)
Hallowing Level Park is a treasured out of doors area for kids, households, and residents of all types within the Calvert County space. Members of our Dunkirk, MD and Hollywood, MD places of work organized a trash cleanup by means of Calvert County’s Undertake-A-Park program as a means of giving again to the park the place they’ve cherished for thus a few years.
“Hallowing Level is absolutely particular to us,” mentioned Tim Sisson, department supervisor of our Dunkirk workplace. “All of us performed sports activities right here rising up, and now we’ve got youngsters which might be enjoying sports activities right here. So it simply feels actually good to have the ability to clear it up.”
“I lived in Calvert for 20 years,” mentioned Arlene Dean, mortgage officer for our Hollywood workplace. “I really like this space, love this neighborhood. My boys have performed soccer right here for a few years – it feels nice to present again to the neighborhood.”
Habitat for Humanity of Better Plymouth (Plymouth, MA)
Habitat for Humanity of Better Plymouth is a nonprofit group that gives reasonably priced homeownership alternatives to assist low-income households. The group constructs, rehabilitates, and preserves properties all through southeastern Massachusetts with the assistance of devoted volunteers.
To make their work just a little simpler, members of our downtown Plymouth department hosted a donation drop-off to gather much-needed gadgets that assist the builders and workplace employees who perform the nonprofit’s mission, in addition to the householders that the group helps.
“Teams like Habitat for Humanity of Better Plymouth have the facility to fully change a household’s life for the higher,” mentioned Anne Borghesani, department supervisor of our downtown Plymouth workplace. “It was actually inspiring to know the assets we helped acquire can be put to good use for such significant work.”
Annapolis Mild Home (Annapolis, MD)
Lastly, members of our Annapolis workplace rolled up their sleeves and lent a hand with portray and powerwashing at Annapolis Mild Home, a homeless prevention assist middle offering shelter and providers to fight homelessness and empower individuals transitioning towards housing.
“Volunteering is absolutely a possibility for us to present again,” mentioned Chris Edge, mortgage officer for our Annapolis workplace. “Working in housing, it was vital to us to establish and companion with somebody locally who’s doing the nice work to assist individuals re-enter housing.”
“The work that Mild Home does in our neighborhood is as inspirational as it’s impactful,” mentioned Jason Nader, department supervisor of our Annapolis workplace. “They transcend simply offering meals and shelter to these experiencing homelessness by addressing underlying causes with long-term options. We’re proud to assist their mission.”
Volunteer Week was a fantastic reminder that irrespective of what number of branches our workforce is unfold out throughout, every of our places of work is deeply rooted inside its neighborhood. Cheers to all of our contributors – sustain the nice work, and we stay up for future alternatives for rising nearer and giving again!
