Russ Zusi’s introduction to Evergreen was an eye-opener.
Zusi, Regions’ new Chief Risk Officer, joined his leadership team at Dr. E’s Place on the United Ability campus in Birmingham, Alabama, where adults with disabilities develop social skills and enjoy recreational opportunities.
“I’m new to Regions,” Zusi said, “but seeing the energy, engagement and compassion of Evergreen week where we get out in the community and give back was so impressive. This event hits very close to home given I have a sister with Down syndrome, and I’m on the board of a similar nonprofit in Charlotte.”
I’m new to Regions, but seeing the energy, engagement and compassion of Evergreen week where we get out in the community and give back was so impressive.
Evergreen is an annual celebration of Regions associates and their values. Part of the week includes team volunteer events that connect with local communities. In the case of Zusi’s team, it meant playing cornhole and volleyball with Dr. E’s Place clients and getting to know them.
“Just being here for a couple of hours has been special because we got to spend time with these very special individuals,” Zusi said. “It’s a reminder that many of the things we take for granted on a daily basis can mean so much to others.”
Houston: Partnering in Rain or Shine
Cliff Ligon’s team joined others from Regions and Ascentium Capital at BakerRipley, a Regions community partner for the last five years, to put together food packs to be distributed throughout Texas’ largest metro. Regardless of the weather conditions, the work goes on outside.
“BakerRipley is one of Houston’s oldest and best nonprofits and that obviously sparked our interest to see how we could help,” said Ligon, the manager at the Bellaire branch. “Being there in person was something we could have never imagined unless you live it.”
In all, 15 associates volunteered a combined 97 hours.
“Once you see the amount of hunger in Houston first-hand it becomes special to you – if it is not special enough already,” Ligon added. “The line of hundreds of the most thankful people on the planet was so humbling.”
I believe that we make a big impact when we show up because it shows that we care, and we can help them along their financial journey.
Keren Treme, financial education trainer
Tampa: Teaching the Basics
In Central Florida, Abe Brown Ministries helps break the cycle of incarceration through education, job training and life-skills coaching. Thus, it was the perfect place for Regions associates to lend a hand with financial education.
While participation for Evergreen sessions is a highlight this week, the work continues on a monthly basis with 20-25 participants in Next Step®, The Cash Flow and Your Financial Goal workshops.
“There are plenty of barriers and hoops that these men and women have to go through as they re-enter society,” said Keren Treme, a financial education trainer who organizes similar sessions across Regions’ footprint. “One of those barriers is finances, and we have an opportunity to not just share our resources but also answer their questions and hear their stories.
“I believe that we make a big impact when we show up because it shows that we care, and we can help them along their financial journey.”
Louisiana: Fighting Hunger
The mission of the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana is to serve as the primary resource for fighting hunger in the region. The vision is to ensure a consolidated network of effective food collection and distribution, which will provide universal access to food for the needy in our communities.
This week, Regions associates from Shreveport, Bossier City, Springhill and Minden came together to restock pantry shelves and pack food boxes for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program for qualified seniors over the age of 60.
For event organizer Sondra King, a private wealth advisor, this was about addressing an immediate need.
“The state of Louisiana has the highest percentage of food insecure seniors of any state,” King said. “The resources provided by the food bank are crucial in fighting hunger in our area, and we are excited to be part of such an important mission.”
Indianapolis: Victory on the field and off
As part of Evergreen, 94 students from schools in Indiana’s biggest city gathered at Victory Field, home of the minor-league Indianapolis Indians, for an educational field trip. Of course, Regions associates were there, too, assisting with the career learning while teaching financial education.
Students also learned about the life of a major-league pitching prospect during a lively question-and-answer session.
This was just one step in a broad, year-round Regions outreach with 2024 partners including JAG, Jobs for Americas Graduates-Indy, DREAM Alive and the United Schools of Indianapolis, and Vision Academy at Riverside Elementary.
This wasn’t the first time Kimberly Harrell, an associate financial consultant, volunteered at a Victory Field event.
“I’ve been able to help with it a few times now and it is one of my favorite events,” Harrell said. “I enjoy working with both the kids and other people from Regions for the day. The students really enjoy getting out and meeting a real professional sports athlete and the Indians organization is always so helpful. It’s a good way for us to get out in the community and help.”
Back in Birmingham: A Call to Action
Associates from the Regions Center across a spectrum of roles, including Commercial and Risk, gathered at the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama. In just a matter of hours, they packed 350 boxes food, each containing enough to feed a family of four for a week.
And after participating as volunteers, a number of the associates then made financial contributions to sustain the Community Food Bank’s important work for months to come.
“In addition to spending quality time with my colleagues serving our community and building camaraderie while strengthening our team, I experienced a poignant reminder of the magnitude of needs that exist within our community,” said Cory Guillory, a Commercial Relationship Manager. “This was a call to action to support our brothers and sisters, particularly in a time of such division in our society.”
This event is an opportunity to build deeper connections across our teams while making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work.
Dave Keenan, Chief Administrative and Human Resources Officer
Across the Footprint: The Volunteer Blitz
In addition to in-person volunteer opportunities organized across ten geographic hubs, remote Human Resources associates not located near a hub had the option to join a virtual volunteer team.
From serving at food banks to volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, teaching financial wellbeing courses, gardening and landscaping spruce-up, honoring first responders and more, associates came together to build communities, strengthen bonds among colleagues and enjoy life – together.
“This event is an opportunity to build deeper connections across our teams while making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work,” said Dave Keenan, Chief Administrative and Human Resources Officer. “Evergreen at Regions gets bigger and better each year, and we’ve seen great engagement and enthusiasm from the team.”
