Share a Smile. And #ShareTheGood

You couldn’t see them. But you knew they were there.

Smiles.

Smiles on the faces of health care workers. Smiles on the faces of community partners. Smiles on the faces of Regions Bank teams.

The smiles were behind masks to protect the health of everyone around. But faces beamed with pride and solidarity all the same.

What brought everyone together – at health care facilities across several states – was Regions Bank’s Share the Good program.

Organized by Regions associates each year, Share the Good has always focused on celebrating community heroes. This year, special attention was paid to medical personnel. These are the men and women who are answering the call to serve – devoting their time and expertise to patients and families impacted by COVID-19.

“This is our chance to say ‘thank you,’” said Elizabeth Winter, market executive for Regions in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. “Over the last six months, the bank has given a lot of financial support to health care organizations and nonprofits serving people with COVID-related needs. But Share the Good is an opportunity for us, as people who are individual members of this community, to share our own appreciation by offering a meal, or delivering some gifts, to health care workers who are there for all of us.”

Share the Good deliveries showed up in a variety of settings. Regions teams coordinated with major hospitals, community clinics, drive-up testing sites and more.

In Atlanta, the nonprofit Oakhurst Medical Centers are reaching the underserved with vital care. It’s hard work – standing outside in the hot summer sun, administering tests and offering guidance to people who may have been exposed to the virus. But as health care workers, it’s their calling. And they are proud to do it.

These are the true heroes protecting our communities and providing an extremely valuable service.
Tiffany Kirk, Regions’ community development manager for Georgia and South Carolina

“It was our honor to take some time during Share the Good and feed the men and women working at the COVID test sites,” said Tiffany Kirk, Regions’ community development manager for Georgia and South Carolina. “One of the primary nurses told me they have been out here in the tents for 13 weeks. These are the true heroes protecting our communities and providing an extremely valuable service.”

In Tennessee, the vision of the Memphis Health Center is “to provide 100% access and 0% disparity.” Regions provided meals for nearly 150 health center professionals.

“When we think of responding to a health care crisis, we often think of the major hospitals that are serving hundreds or thousands of people at a time. But we cannot overlook the crucial role served by clinics like the Memphis Health Center,” said David May, Memphis market executive for Regions. “The professionals here are delivering care, compassion and expertise to people and families who often have nowhere else to turn. They are standing in the gap, making sure more people have access to quality care. We saw Share the Good as the perfect opportunity to deliver our personal support and appreciation.”

On the opposite end of the state, near Johnson City, Regions associates provided meals to the team at Frontier Health. It has been said many times that doctors and nurses treating patients with COVID-19 are on the front lines of the pandemic. The team at Frontier Health is on a separate, but closely related, front line. These are the professionals delivering mental health care at a time when nearly every aspect of daily life has been disrupted.

“The men and women at Frontier Health are saving lives,” said David Crockett, Tri-Cities market executive for Regions. “Long before the pandemic, they were a trusted source of counseling and services that helped people through times of crisis. During this worldwide crisis, the need for their expertise has only grown. They have adapted in extraordinary ways to stay in touch with clients and remind them they are not alone. When we think of health care heroes, let’s remember that includes mental health care professionals who reach people in their darkest hours and bring them to a better place.”

Share the Good was also a chance to support local businesses. In many cities, meals for medical workers were sourced from locally owned restaurants. In other places, gift cards from hometown barbecue spots or other local favorites were provided to health care professionals.

“Gioia’s Deli is a community-based restaurant that’s been feeding St. Louis for decades. Likewise, CareSTL Health is a community-based health care provider that’s been meeting the wellness needs of people for over 50 years,” said Nancy Barnes-Ault, community relations officer for Regions in the Midwest. “This was the perfect chance to support the medical professionals at CareSTL while supporting a small business that so many people know and love.”

“Share the Good is not only about the heroes in our hometowns, but also a reminder about Regions’ mission to make like better,” added Sarah Moss, community relations officer for metro Birmingham. “This year has been one like no other. We have all had our own unique challenges, but getting out to support those who are on the front lines and bring a smile to their day made a huge difference.”

In 2020, people have seen so much uncertainty. Uncertainty about our health. Uncertainty about jobs. Uncertainty about what the future holds.

And it’s true, we’re not sure how much longer this pandemic will last. But as Regions teams visited clinics, hospitals and testing sites during Share the Good, we were reminded of some important truths. You don’t have to look far to find people who are willing to give so much – to so many people – to help them get through this crisis. And it’s important for us to remind each other that we see you, we appreciate you, and we’re here for you, too.

We still have to stay a little farther apart than before. But we’re still stronger together.