LAKE MARY, Fla.— Addition Financial Credit Union employees joined with the credit union and the Addition Financial Foundation to raise $6,000 for humanitarian relief efforts following the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela in late June.
The fundraising campaign began after employees with personal ties to Venezuela proposed a companywide "Jeans Day" to support those affected by the disaster.
The employee-led initiative generated approximately $2,000 from 158 team members, each contributing at least $5 in exchange for wearing jeans to work. According to the credit union, it was the most successful donation drive of its kind in Addition Financial's history.
Inspired by the strong employee participation, Addition Financial Credit Union and the Addition Financial Foundation each matched the employee donations with $2,000 contributions, tripling the total raised to $6,000. The funds will support the I Love Venezuela Foundation, which provides resources to humanitarian organizations assisting earthquake recovery efforts across northern Venezuela.
"Our hearts immediately went out to everyone affected by this tragedy," said Juan Velasco, Addition Financial's contact center manager and one of the fundraiser's organizers. "Many of us have family, friends and loved ones in Venezuela... It was a powerful reminder that even from hundreds of miles away, we can make a real difference when we unite behind a common purpose."