Dig in.
Regions Bank associates swapped their office tools for shovels and gloves to help the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA give Sulphur Springs PK-8 Community Partnership School a fresh, welcoming look just in time for the new school year.
Together, volunteers worked to not only clean up the grounds but lay the foundation for a brighter future.
“This effort wasn’t just about tidying up a school—it was about coming together to create a positive space for students to thrive,” said April Grajales, Tampa market executive for Regions Bank. “The Commercial Banking Team led the project, leaving their air-conditioned offices to brave the summer heat and work with enthusiasm and dedication. It’s our way of sharing appreciation for the teachers and staff who are so devoted to helping students shine – and our way of helping those students have an even more welcoming environment as this new school year begins.”
Volunteers spent hours spreading mulch, picking up trash, and clearing storm debris. But the impact of their work extended past physical tasks; it built stronger bonds within the community.
This effort wasn’t just about tidying up a school—it was about coming together to create a positive space for students to thrive.
April Grajales, Tampa market executive for Regions Bank
“The effort by these volunteers goes beyond beautification—it lifts the spirits of the students who returned to a refreshed campus,” said Meagan Smithyman, Executive Director of Community Schools & Family Outreach for the Tampa YMCA. “With classes kicking off, Sulphur Springs students saw a revitalized campus, setting an optimistic tone for the school year ahead.”
Regions Bank and the Regions Foundation have previously supported Sulphur Springs PK-8 Community Partnership School. Sulphur Springs, a neighborhood in Tampa, has no supermarkets within a walkable distance. Every student at the school qualifies for free lunch. Earlier this year, Regions Bank associates volunteered at Tampa Metropolitan YMCA’s Sulphur Springs Food Pantry.
In May, the Regions Foundation, a nonprofit funded primarily by Regions Bank, presented a $45,000 grant to support the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA in providing Sulphur Springs PK-8 Community Partnership School year-round support programs to students.
“The cleanup was another example of our Regions360 approach in action,” Grajales added. “The collaboration between our team, the YMCA, and the school underscored our commitment to making a difference. We’re excited to continue this partnership and find new ways to support the incredible work being done at Sulphur Springs and the YMCA.”