MANCHESTER, N.H.– During 2017, St. Mary’s Bank employees generously donated 3,152 volunteer hours valued at $78,479. In all, 89 employees volunteered in their communities, and 29 employees reached the 25-, 50-, and 100-hour levels for the year, the credit union said.
Among the ways employees contributed: by delivering food to homebound residents, coaching football, and playing in a band that raises funds for Make-a-Wish or music scholarships.
Ron Covey, President and CEO of St. Mary’s Bank, recently honored these 29 employees at a breakfast reception at the credit union’s McGregor Street headquarters.
“It was my pleasure to recognize and thank the 29 employees who went above and beyond last year. Reaching 25, 50, or 100 hours is no small feat,” states Covey. “As America’s first credit union, we pride ourselves on living out the credit union philosophy of People Helping People. I think we do that exceptionally well, as the spirit of giving back comes naturally to many of our employees.”
St. Mary’s Bank said it has always encouraged employees to volunteer for causes that are close to their hearts and now offers another way for employees to do that more easily: a volunteer time off (VTO) program.
“Our volunteer program includes a number of opportunities that take place during regularly scheduled work hours and on employees’ personal time, which makes it difficult to balance the desire to give back with the demands of daily life,” explains Pamela Roy, Director of Human Resources. “We are excited to offer VTO that is designed to give employees the opportunity to participate in volunteer activities specifically during their normal work hours, allowing them to give back while meeting their professional and personal responsibilities.”
St. Mary’s Bank’s new VTO program enables employees to volunteer for the charitable or civic organizations of their choice. Employees will receive up to eight hours of VTO that can be used in two-hour increments throughout the year.