LAKE JACKSON, Texas– TDECU recently honored three employees as 2019 Community Champions for their significant volunteerism throughout the year.
TDECU said it has a long tradition of improving the communities where its employees live and work by offering each employee 32 hours of paid volunteer time each year. In 2019, TDECU employees volunteered more than 6,000 hours to a variety of community causes and local charitable organizations.
As TDECU’s top volunteer, TDECU System Operations Analyst Kristina Barrow-Booth volunteered 321 hours throughout 2019. To reward her contributions, TDECU presented to Barrow-Booth a check for $2,000 for the non-profit organization of her choice, United Way of Brazoria County, which works to resolve community issues through numerous programs. Through this donation, 200 homebound seniors will receive a warm meal for one month, equating to 4,000 meals.
“I chose the United Way of Brazoria County (UWBC) Community Impact Fund because it supports programs and initiatives that provide access to health services, basic needs, education, and financial stability to people within my community,” said Barrow-Booth. “During the 2019-2020 fiscal year, the UWBC Board of Directors approved the distribution of over $2 million in funding to 47 programs amongst 31 community partners in Brazoria County. I am proud to serve as a UWBC board member and Community Impact Advisory Council member and I know TDECU’s donation will power the resources to provide over 1 million services to those in need.”
Logging in 285 volunteer hours as the second-highest volunteer, TDECU Compliance Officer Janie Schwartz-Shaw received an award of $1,000 for her favorite organization, Gulf Coast STARS, a non-profit that will use the donation to provide veterinarian services to rescued animals in Brazoria County and surrounding areas.
“I’ve been fostering dogs for the past five years,” said Schwartz-Shaw. “Gulf Coast STARS is very thorough in rescuing, vetting and adopting out dogs. TDECU’s funds will help the organization continue its mission of rescuing animals in need. Gulf Coast STARS will answer a call for help or accept an owner surrender at a moment’s notice. Each dog’s medical needs are met, no matter the cost. This organization gives a voice to those that can’t speak for themselves.”
The efforts of TDECU’s third-highest volunteer with 206 hours, TDECU Senior Member Center Manager Anne Allstott earned a check for $500 to go to Junior Achievement of Brazoria County, which will use the donation to deliver five financial literacy classes to 125 high school students.
“I chose to donate to Junior Achievement of Brazoria County because Junior Achievement programs help prepare young people for the real world by showing them how to generate wealth, effectively manage it, create jobs that make their communities more robust, and how to apply entrepreneurial thinking to the workplace,” said Allstott. “Students put these lessons into action and learn the value of contributing to their communities. Through my volunteer efforts, I can give students the knowledge that will help them become successful adults. As a result, our communities and businesses will reap the rewards.”
“This year’s Community Champions went above and beyond anyone’s expectations,” said TDECU President and CEO, Stephanie Sherrodd. “Giving back to and strengthening our communities through volunteerism and financial gifts is an integral part of TDECU’s foundation, and I am extremely grateful to our Community Champions and the entire TDECU team for supporting our organization in this worthwhile effort.”