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 vital a part of our id, so in Might, we launched Volunteer Week – an thrilling new initiative to rally collectively within the spirit of giving again!
In the course of the week of Might 15-19, about 200 members of the First Residence workforce volunteered their time, expertise, and power to help the vital work of six native nonprofits. The tip end result was a collection of memorable experiences the place workforce members spent high quality time collectively, giving again in a significant means whereas offering help and consciousness for these necessary organizations.
Right here’s a take 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 just lately skilled homelessness.
“As a lender, we’re in a position to assist lots of people transfer into their first dwelling,” mentioned Jake Ryon, mortgage officer for our Chevy Chase department. “However there are some individuals we will’t assist – they usually should have these similar alternatives. Pathways is that this group that runs parallel to what we do, and it helps these we will’t assist. That’s why we’re very obsessed with 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 visitors of The Ronald McDonald Home of Maryland, which has been offering a “home-away-from-home” for critically ailing 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 encircling 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 battle meals insecurity within the space by offering nutritious meals and neighborhood help to neighbors in want. Volunteers put collectively baggage of snacks and nonperishable meals that can go to seniors, schoolchildren, and others in the neighborhood who’re battling meals insecurity.
“I feel volunteering is our means of claiming thanks to the area people,” mentioned Rob Mercer, department supervisor of our Bethesda workplace. “It’s additionally a terrific 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 outside area for youngsters, households, and residents of all types within the Calvert County space. Members of our Dunkirk, MD and Hollywood, MD workplaces organized a trash cleanup via Calvert County’s Undertake-A-Park program as a means of giving again to the park the place they’ve cherished for therefore 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 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 Larger Plymouth (Plymouth, MA)
Habitat for Humanity of Larger 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 a bit of simpler, members of our downtown Plymouth department hosted a donation drop-off to gather much-needed objects that help the builders and workplace employees who perform the nonprofit’s mission, in addition to the owners that the group helps.
“Teams like Habitat for Humanity of Larger Plymouth have the ability to utterly change a household’s life for the higher,” mentioned Anne Borghesani, department supervisor of our downtown Plymouth workplace. “It was really inspiring to know the assets we helped accumulate will likely be put to good use for such significant work.”
Annapolis Gentle Home (Annapolis, MD)
Lastly, members of our Annapolis workplace rolled up their sleeves and lent a hand with portray and powerwashing at Annapolis Gentle Home, a homeless prevention help middle offering shelter and providers to fight homelessness and empower individuals transitioning towards housing.
“Volunteering is absolutely a chance for us to present again,” mentioned Chris Edge, mortgage officer for our Annapolis workplace. “Working in housing, it was necessary to us to establish and accomplice with somebody in the neighborhood who’s doing the nice work to assist individuals re-enter housing.”
“The work that Gentle 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 help their mission.”
Volunteer Week was a terrific reminder that regardless of what number of branches our workforce is unfold out throughout, every of our workplaces is deeply rooted inside its neighborhood. Cheers to all of our contributors – sustain the nice work, and we sit up for future alternatives for rising nearer and giving again!
