It didn’t take long for life to change. Quarantines. Stay-at-home orders. Routines, education and livelihoods impacted.
And at Regions Bank, it didn’t take long for our teams, and our community partners, to find creative ways to support others during this unique time. Here are just a few recent examples of the work they’re doing. And we’ve also included a way that you can lend your support while safely remaining at home.
Memphis – St. Jude/Tri Delta Place
For children facing medical issues, treatments at St. Jude Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, simply cannot stop during the coronavirus.
For years, Regions Bank associates in Memphis have provided meals for St. Jude families staying at Tri Delta Place, which houses families of children undergoing treatment. While Memphis team members are not able to visit in-person due to social distancing, it was important to them to share that St. Jude families remain in their thoughts. So they lent support by shipping packaged food for families to safely enjoy in their rooms or while on the go between medical appointments.
And they know one day they’ll be back serving meals and sharing hope at Tri Delta Place.
St. Jude is an especially important place for Regions Wealth Management Advisor Ben Lane. His son, Carter, received treatment at St. Jude more than 20 years ago, and Lane continues to donate blood and platelets whenever he can to express his gratitude for Carter’s recovery.
“I reached out to the blood center a couple of weeks ago to ask about scheduling a donation,” said Lane. “As expected, St. Jude is limiting access exclusively to hospital staff and family members to keep everyone safe right now due to the coronavirus. As soon as the hospital opens to additional visitors, I will be there, ready to donate.”
St. Jude is offering everyone a way to share their support by sending an online card to pediatric patients. Simply click here to select and send a word of encouragement.
Fayetteville, AR – U of Arkansas Gameday Associate Support
For many, the crack of the bat is an indelible sound of spring.
But this year, baseball stadiums across the nation sit eerily quiet due to the coronavirus.
University of Arkansas fans are doing their part to help support the gameday and hourly employees and student-athletes who make America’s pastime enjoyable for people normally attending games at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville.
Nearly one-third of season ticket holders are redirecting their dollars to help cover the wages of stadium employees unable to greet and assist fans right now. That generosity has reached $311,000 to date.
Regions is among organizations providing support.
“The ticket takers, ushers and concession stand workers create an important and enjoyable part of the gameday experience,” said Jerry Vest, Market Executive for Regions in Rogers, Arkansas. “We’re pleased to lend our support to those who support the team – and the fans – each season.”
Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek shared thanks on behalf of all those impacted.
“We are deeply appreciative of our Razorback Foundation members and ticket holders for providing continued support for our 465-plus student-athletes and assisting those impacted by COVID-19,” Yurachek said. “In these challenging times, the Razorback Nation has once again displayed its generosity and commitment to helping others. In the days and months to come, we will continue to support each other as we move forward as One Razorback.”
In time, baseball will be back. And so will the team members – both on and off the field – who make it possible.
Indianapolis – Teachers’ Treasures
Students may not be sitting in traditional classrooms right now due to the coronavirus, but learning continues, thanks to Regions community partners like Teachers’ Treasures. The nonprofit, known as a “free store for teachers” serving students from low- to moderate-income areas, has creatively connected with more than 25,000 Indianapolis students and teachers during the past several weeks – in a safe, socially distant way, of course.
Teachers’ Treasure employees have assembled more than 3,000 homework kits being provided at food distribution hubs. They have blanketed the Circle City with a variety of educational resources, compiling 500 art kits for near eastside students, directing 3,000 books to westside schools and providing cases of core homework supplies to a northside school district. They also reached out to local shelters housing families to provide educational materials for children as well.
“We are able to be very agile and resourceful with our products right now,” said Margaret Sheehan, Executive Director. “The need is so incredibly great. We’re grateful that we can share items from our shelves to help keep young minds engaged and focused on learning.”
And they haven’t forgotten about the teachers either, distributing 200 special care packages for them via drive-through events. They’re even providing support to local food banks by sharing 16,000 plastic bags to assist with distribution efforts.
It’s confirmation the greatest lesson of all is kindness.