CLINTON – Through Unity Bank’s Employee Volunteer Program, 40 employees provided more than 220 hours of volunteer help to America’s Grow-A-Row and NORWESCAP through the end of 2016.
The program is meant to build on the bank’s community outreach efforts and give employees to work with the bank’s non-profit partners.
“We launched the employee volunteer initiative to strengthen our community outreach efforts because community involvement is a key part of our mission,” said Unity Bank President and Chief Executive Officer James A. Hughes. “This effort has also provided an unanticipated benefit for employees – allowing our staff to work together and to get to know each other outside the bank. There is no corporate hierarchy when it comes to hands-on volunteer activities like picking corn and fresh produce for food banks.
“The volunteer program enables employees from different departments, branches and levels of seniority to share experiences and interact on a deeper level, resulting in stronger relationships.”
Every month during growing and picking season, Unity Bank sends out a team of employees to Grow-a-Row’s farms. Unity also sponsored Grow-a-Row’s fourth annual Farm to Fork fundraiser and received the organization’s 2016 Growing with You Rookie of the Year Award.
NORWESCAP is a non-profit organization providing a wide range of services for those in need in Hunterdon and Warren counties. Unity Bank volunteers provide monthly administrative and organizational support for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and Cancer Education and Early Detection, a screening and education program designed for those underinsured or uninsured.
Unity also sponsors NORWESCAP’s annual Transitions 5K Walk/Run and the organization’s Celebration Brunch fundraiser.
“Many employees let us know that they wanted to volunteer, but found it hard to find the time after work or on weekends so we have given them the opportunity to step away from their desks once a month and contribute during work hours,” said Hughes. “The feedback from employees on the volunteer initiative has been very positive. It’s been a fun and rewarding program.”
