JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — VyStar Credit Union organized its fifth annual “Good is everywhere” celebration Sept. 9-26, connecting members, employees and community partners across Florida and Georgia.
The initiative generated 17,896 meals for local hunger-relief organizations, provided thousands of volunteer hours, and offered free admission to cultural and recreational venues.
The initiative combined member appreciation with local community service, directing food contributions to organizations in the communities where they were gathered.
Throughout August, community residents and credit union participants contributed nonperishable items to the Good Starts Here Food Drive to supply local food banks facing food insecurity.
During the celebration, VyStar employees completed 6,160 volunteer hours across 213 events in Florida and Georgia. The credit union also provided 21,137 free admissions across 41 community experiences, giving the public access to museums, historical exhibits, ballgames and family attractions.
Employee volunteer initiatives focused on housing, hunger relief and veteran support. In Jacksonville, workers packed food bags and opened the VyStar Volunteer Center at Feeding Northeast Florida, while also building ADA-accessible ramps for veterans alongside the Northeast Florida Builders Association.
Additional projects included restoring residential units at HomeStretch in Atlanta and stocking shelves at Second Harvest Food Bank in Orlando.
Mayors across the credit union’s service areas issued official proclamations designating “Good is everywhere Day” during the initiative. Patricia McElroy, senior vice president and president of the VyStar Foundation, highlighted the role of local charitable organizations in guiding the outreach.
“Our nonprofit partners know where help is needed most. By listening and working alongside them, we can help create stronger, more connected communities across Florida and Georgia,” McElroy said. “The food donated through the Good Starts Here Food Drive can provide thousands of meals for neighbors facing hunger.
“That same spirit of members, employees and community partners coming together carried through every Good is everywhere project.”
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