Heartwarming. Humbling. Joyful. Perhaps, most of all, rewarding.
Santander Consumer USA (SC) associates used words like that to describe volunteering for the Salvation Army, Girl Scouts, Special Olympics, North Texas Food Bank and other causes in 2018.
The experiences clearly had a profound effect on those who participated through the company’s Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO) program that provides more than 5,000 associates up to two days off per year to donate time and energy to their communities.
That represents thousands of hours spent on activities meant to strengthen the community.
“I’m so proud to work for an organization that allows us to volunteer our time to those in need,” said one volunteer. “It really shows how much SC values its employees and the communities around us.”
The VPTO program represents no small commitment by the lender, which is based in Dallas, TX, but also operates in Arizona and Colorado and through a national sales team. But it’s a win-win situation that has worked well for the company and the organizations that received help.
“The work would not happen without our dedicated volunteers,” said a Girl Scout leader. So, in case you missed them following are some of the VPTO stories that we published last year:
The gift of giving ‘heartwarming’ for group of Santander volunteers
They aren’t actually angels. But don’t tell that to the families who received Angel Tree gifts, distributed by members of the Santander Consumer USA marketing project management team.
The fight against hunger begins when everyone works together
Nearly 100 associates of Santander Consumer volunteered over two days to help the North Texas Food Bank with their mission of relieving hunger in nearby communities.
Santander Consumer USA associates show ‘Gratitude’ to troops, veterans, first responders
Thank you can mean a lot. Especially to people such as service members and first responders who have put their lives on the line, whether that’s in our own communities or in some faraway land.
Special athletes ‘brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart’
On your mark, get set, give back! Santander Consumer associates had “an emotional but rewarding experience” as volunteers at the Special Olympics Texas Area 11 Spring Games in Arlington, Texas.
Give me Samoas? SC associates do some heavy lifting for Girl Scouts
Thin mints, Trefoils, Samoas, oh my! Santander Consumer associates volunteered with the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas to support the organization’s annual cookie drive.
SC volunteers hit the classroom for Junior Achievement program
Preparing the next generation. Volunteers from SC worked with Junior Achievement by teaching South Dallas middle-schoolers subjects ranging from economics to budgeting and financial life skills.
“It is a great feeling to know that I am helping to make a difference in someone’s life,” said an SC associate who volunteered at the food bank. “We made a difference in many lives with our contribution. Giving back through volunteer work, community service or just being nice to a stranger is the way I live! You never know when our lives could change.”
To see more SC associates using their volunteer paid-time off, follow us on our social media pages, Facebook , Twitter and LinkedIn as #SCGivesBack.
