Regions Bank and its associates are committed to making life better throughout the year. And Giving Tuesday – celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving – offers a timely opportunity to demonstrate our support for nonprofits going above and beyond during an especially difficult year. We thought we’d share a few examples.
Connections to Success
The focus: economic empowerment. The method: connecting people with what they need to get where they’re going.
Some of the ways Connections to Success empowers women and men across Greater St. Louis is by providing job interview attire, transportation, career services and more. Regions Bank is a longtime financial supporter. Bank associates also teach financial education, serve as mentors and assist with sorting merchandise.
Regions associates in St. Louis present a $2,500 contribution to Connections to Success, a nonprofit advancing workforce development. The agency provides business attire, professional development courses, transportation support and more.
In 2019, Regions’ local “Green Team” held a collection drive for clothes and accessories offering a dual benefit of providing attire and reducing waste. Linda Lockwood from the bank’s Institutional Services group has volunteered with Connections to Success for 10 years. In 2018, she connected Connections to Success with a large department store, resulting in thousands of dollars of merchandise donations to the nonprofit’s boutique.
“Connections to Success is committed to helping people find both first-time and better employment,” said Lockwood. “Jobs give hope, and I am thrilled to be able to play a small part in providing that hope.”
In recognition of Giving Tuesday, Regions Bank presented Connections to Success with a $2,500 gift. Through support provided by its donors, Connections to Success will continue to connect people to confidence, jobs and financial stability – one client at a time.
Fuse Project – Igniting a Spark in Children
The purpose is clear. The mission is urgent.
Along the Alabama Gulf Coast, a spark of innovation and creativity ignited an effort to help children living in poverty.
The Fuse Project supports initiatives in Mobile and Baldwin counties that promote health, fitness, education and social responsibility. Its newest project, The Historic Avenue Foundation, is a neighborhood revitalization effort focused on housing, education and community wellness. The education component is in conjunction with Florence Howard Elementary School (FHES).
Christian White, Regions’ Mobile market executive, left, and Kristi Galloway, Regions community relations officer, right, present a $10,000 check to the Fuse Project to support children attending Florence Howard Elementary School in Mobile.
As part of Giving Tuesday, Regions Bank donated $10,000 supporting internet access, tutoring labs, school supplies and uniforms for children attending FHES. In addition, the funding will help the school address challenges specifically related to COVID-19.
“Fuse Project is doing great work along the Gulf Coast, and Regions is proud to support the organization’s focus on education for Giving Tuesday,” said Christian White, Mobile market executive for Regions Bank. “Education is one of the keys to building a more unified Mobile, where all people have opportunities to succeed.”
Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity
Housing: it offers us more than shelter. It also provides a haven and is a place where we create memories. Since 1976, Habitat for Humanity has been bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope.
In Indianapolis, Regions Bank presented Habitat for Humanity with a $5,000 gift benefitting the nonprofit’s first-time homebuyer program. Greater Indy Habitat President & CEO Jim Morris received the donation from Nicole Woodson, Regions’ Indiana community development manager.
Regions Bank has partnered with Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity for over a decade. In addition to providing funding support, bank associates volunteer during home build projects.
As part of its commitment to affordable housing, Regions Bank presented Greater Indy Habitat a $5,000 check on Giving Tuesday. The donation benefits Habitat’s first-time homeownership program supporting and low- and moderate-income families, empowering them to buy a house and create many future memories.
Junior League of Fort Smith, Arkansas
Recruiting and retaining foster families. Building and furnishing children’s shelters. Empowering children in the foster care system through valuable life skills. Volunteers at the Junior League of Fort Smith, Arkansas, are focused on these important responsibilities every day. Funding for the organization supports more than 700 children in the Arkansas River Valley community foster care system.
Megan Nichols, right, from Regions’ Commercial Banking team in Fort Smith, presents Alexis Brown with a $2,500 contribution supporting the Junior League of Fort Smith’s foster care initiative. The program is dedicated to supporting older children in the foster care system.
Megan Nichols from Regions Bank’s Commercial Banking team knows the impact of the Junior League, including the nonprofit’s focus on empowering women.
“Junior League members are passionate about supporting our Fort Smith community,” said Nichols, who volunteers with the league. “It’s an honor to lead this dedicated group focused on creating consistency and lasting connections for children who have faced so much uncertainty and transition in their lives.”
To celebrate Giving Tuesday, Regions Bank donated $2,500 to the Junior League of Fort Smith. The gift benefits the organization’s Development of Aging Foster Children program.
Just Bakery
The name sounds simple. But the impact is far from it.
Eat well. Do good. Change lives.
Just Bakery in Clarkston, Georgia, is a workforce development training program that teaches the art and skill of baking to people who came to the area as refugees. The baked goods, ranging from delicious breads to cookies and pastries, are available at businesses, churches and pop-up shops around Metro Atlanta.
Kyle Patterson, Regions community relations officer, left, presents a $5,000 check to Just Bakery to support the organization’s workforce development training program.
In recognition of Giving Tuesday, Regions donated $5,000 to support Just Bakery and the people who are learning valuable skills for future jobs.
“Just Bakery is creating a more diverse, better connected community for all of Metro Atlanta,” said Bill Linginfelter, Metro Atlanta market executive for Regions Bank. “Regions is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, so the mission of Just Bakery and our bank’s mission align just right for a powerful impact. We are pleased to support the mission of Just Bakery on Giving Tuesday.”
Louisiana Lagniappe
Lagniappe is a gift – a Louisiana French term meaning something given in good measure to help someone else.
In Baton Rouge, Regions Bank has seen the impact of the Mid City Redevelopment Alliance for many years. It’s an organization that’s reviving and empowering the community through homeownership, home preservation, responsible real estate development and more.
Danny Montelaro, Regions’ Baton Rouge market executive, left, presents a $7,500 check to Sam Sanders, Mid City Redevelopment Alliance executive director, to support the organization’s work with homeownership, home preservation, responsible real estate development and more.
Through Mid City, Regions associates teach homebuyer and financial wellness to help people build savings, spend wisely and reach long-term goals. To celebrate Giving Tuesday, Regions made a $7,500 donation to help Mid City advance its mission of prosperity.
“Mid City Redevelopment Alliance is doing incredible work addressing community challenges and providing a way forward to people who need support,” said Danny Montelaro, Baton Rouge market executive for Regions. “We know the holidays are going to be different this year, and charitable giving is needed now more than ever. Regions Bank is proud to support Mid City, and we hope Giving Tuesday is an opportunity for others to join us in supporting organizations like Mid City that are making a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbors.”
Tampa Jewish Community Centers and Federation
Heritage. Tradition. Values. Faith.
The Tampa Jewish Community Centers and Federation (TJCCF) connects with people and families across Tampa Bay in deeply personal and powerful ways.
Stephen Ponzillo, Regions community relations officer, center, presents a $2,500 check to the Tampa Jewish Community Centers and Federation to help expand its resources to the PJ Library, which provides monthly Jewish children’s books and music to homes across Tampa Bay.
Through the PJ Library, TJCCF provides Jewish children’s books and music to homes monthly – at no cost. The books share the meaning behind Jewish holidays, values and folk tales; the music helps people discover their heritage and pay tribute to their roots.
As part of Giving Tuesday, Regions Bank made a $2,500 donation to TJCCF to expand its resources to the PJ Library.
“Reading is a fundamental part of a child’s development, and the PJ Library is a valuable resource for families across the Tampa Bay area,” said Michael Jones, Tampa market executive for Regions. “We know education provides a strong foundation for success, and Regions Bank is proud to support organizations that enhance educational opportunities for everyone. Our donation for the PJ Library supports the rich heritage of the Jewish community while providing critical resources to grow, learn and inspire the next generation of Jewish leaders.”