Mountain America Teams Donate 2,300 Service Hours Across Six States During ‘Month of Caring’
Employees provided thousands of hours of community service during credit union’s 4th annual initiative; service activities included donating to schools, beautifying parks and preparing care packages for youth
Throughout September, nearly 700 Mountain America team members in Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah, donated more than 2,300 service hours as part of its annual Month of Caring initiative. To help employees fulfill the credit union’s commitment to living the philosophy of “people helping people,” Mountain America provides all employees with paid time off to serve in their local communities.
Activities from the fourth annual month of service supported a variety of worthy causes including service at children’s hospitals, animal shelters and childhood development centers, as well as opportunities for food kit assembly and community improvement projects.
“Our credit union philosophy is ‘people helping people’ and our employees have really embraced the opportunity to get out in the community and make a difference in the communities where they live, work and play, as part of our annual month of caring event,” said Trent Savage, senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Mountain America Credit Union. “Our team is committed to giving back to the community-- every year we increase our contributions and the impact we’re having on communities within our six-state footprint.”
Since the Month of Caring initiative first began in 2019, over 2,100 Mountain America employees have donated more than 11,500 service hours.
Teams served in a wide variety of ways, from packing bags with nutritious foods at USANA Kids Eat, to stringing lights at Hogle Zoo and helping shelter animals at Humane Society of Utah.
“At Mountain America, we’re involved in our communities twelve months a year through a variety of programs, But I think our favorite program is the month of caring when we spend the whole month with our employees giving back,” said Sharlene Wells, senior vice president of public relations and organizational communications at Mountain America Credit Union. “Our focus on service really builds pride and morale in the company and community.”
Mountain America team members from the Ephraim and Richfield branches sponsored the Gunnison Gut Check presented by United We March, in partnership with other community entities to help raise funds for men and women in uniform. “Anything that helps support our veterans, those that have fought for our freedoms, we jump at the chance to be able to do something for them since they've done so much for us,” said Ephraim branch manager Michelle Brazell. The money raised will be distributed to local and national organizations that extend help to military, law enforcement and first responders.
In Eagle Mountain, Utah, team members helped Tree Utah, Meta’s Eagle Mountain data center and other partners by donating and planting trees at Walden Park. “My team and I love the opportunity to give back in any capacity,” said Tyler Savage, Lehi branch manager. “This is one step beyond our mission where we can make our communities a better place by giving back and I’m excited Mountain America gives us that opportunity.”
In Provo, Utah, team members donated $1,000 in recess supplies to benefit over 500 students from low-income families at Spring Creek Elementary School. Orem University Branch Manager Evan Gomez and other team members surprised a class of kindergarteners with jump ropes, basketballs and other outdoor games.
In Idaho, a group created tailgate care packages filled with games, stickers and snacks for families with children in the ICU at St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital. With football season in full swing and the downtown Boise hospital located near Boise State’s Albertsons Stadium, patients and their families can see fans heading to the game. “Being in the hospital on game day, you see lots of people and their families going to have fun, so we decided, let's make a football activity so families could enjoy their own kind of tailgate,” said Sherri Iverson, director of St. Luke's Women's and Children's Community Education. “The Mountain America team put these bags together to bring a smile to families and kids. That's what it's all about.”
Nevada team members from the Henderson branch served the Nevada Youth Sports organization by lending helping hands to support more than 500 student athletes and parents who attend surrounding high schools. Mountain America team members took turns officiating volleyball and flag football games and picking up trash after the events. “As we grow our footprint, we have the opportunity to support our community’s youth in an area they’re passionate about,” said member experience officer Howie Wu. “I enjoyed being able to help them.”
