BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This week, June 13–17, some 500 Symetra employees will roll up their sleeves and tackle volunteer projects throughout the Puget Sound region and across the country for the eighth-annual Symetra Week of Service. Employees will take time from their work day to volunteer on behalf of 41 nonprofit organizations — 28 in the Greater Seattle area. Symetra employee volunteers have contributed nearly 10,000 Week of Service hours since the program’s inception in 2009.
“Symetra is recognized as a company with a strong volunteer spirit. While we’re engaged in supporting nonprofits year ‘round, the Symetra Week of Service spotlights our employees’ involvement in and commitment to the communities in which we live and work,” said Symetra CEO Tom Marra, who will be among the employee volunteers. “This annual tradition gives us a chance to connect with our colleagues, join forces to help our nonprofit partners who do so much good and make a positive impact in our communities through hands-on service.”
Here are the 2016 Symetra Week of Service nonprofit partners and activities in the Puget Sound area:
Volunteers will do general gardening on the organization’s Seattle campus.
Volunteers will prepare invitations to the ACS’s annual Making Strides kick-off event.
American Heart Association of Puget Sound
Two groups of volunteers will assemble craft kits and make handmade cards and finger puppets for kids undergoing cardiac treatment at Seattle Children’s Hospital—and participate in hands-only CPR training sessions.
Volunteers will help set up the organization’s Springing into Summer event at Wells Medina Nursery.
Volunteers will garden, paint, repair fences and clean lodges at the nonprofit’s Carnation location.
Volunteers will help mark storm drains in the Everest Park neighborhood and clean the kitchen at Peter Kirk Community Center.
Volunteers will build a fence for the community garden at the North Highlands Neighborhood Center.
Volunteers will help organize donated items (clothing, shoes, toys, baby supplies) at the organization’s Issaquah location to get them ready for distribution.
Volunteers will help with cleanup and maintenance at Juanita Bay Park.
Volunteers will weed, compost, organize a tool shed and clean a chicken coop at Green Plate’s Rainier Valley garden.
Volunteers will help staff at the Habitat Store in Bellevue with unloading donations, merchandising, customer service and donor relations.
Volunteers will assist with food distribution at the Shoreline location.
Volunteers will help clean and paint the interior of the Everett museum.
Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank
Volunteers will sort and pack food for delivery.
Volunteers will help clean and organize several areas of the Bellevue location.
Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center
Volunteers will assist with preparations for the organization’s horse show at its Redmond facility.
Volunteers will help prepare and serve breakfast to homeless youth at the organization’s downtown Seattle center.
Volunteers will sort and re-package bulk food at the Kent location for distribution to food banks and schools throughout Washington state.
Ronald McDonald House of Western Washington & Alaska
Volunteers will clean, organize and do yardwork at this facility for families with children being treated at Seattle Children's Hospital. They also will create snack and lunch bags and make no-sew, child-sized fleece blankets for the families staying there.
Volunteers will assist with general grounds-keeping and garden maintenance at the organization’s campus in Seattle’s Wedgwood neighborhood.
Volunteers will lead playroom arts and crafts projects for patients.
Volunteers will assist this North Bend food bank’s clients with shopping and check out.
Volunteers will help clean the Bellevue women’s shelter’s Holly House.
Volunteers will help train and groom adult dogs and puppies.
Volunteers will sort, organize and pack supplies for the Family Stability Team.
Volunteers will sort, tag and restock merchandise, and help prepare the organization’s Rainier Valley store for shopping days.
Volunteers will support the Baby Boutique by organizing the store and sorting donations.
Volunteers will sort clothing donations, package diapers and check for toy recalls at the Seattle location.
Outside of the Puget Sound area, Symetra employees in Ashland, Wisconsin; Enfield, Connecticut; Miami, Florida; Waltham, Massachusetts; and West Des Moines, Iowa will participate in volunteer activities on behalf of 13 nonprofits:
- Ashland—Ashland Parks and Recreation, The Brick Ministries, Faith in Action and Vaughn Public Library.
- Enfield—Dakin Humane Society, Elizabeth Park Conservancy, Enfield Food Shelf and My Sister’s Place.
- Miami—Chapman Partnership and Fairchild Botanic Gardens.
- Waltham—Waltham Boys & Girls Club and Waltham House.
- West Des Moines—Children’s Cancer Connection.
Follow Symetra’s Week of Service activities on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Symetra. To learn more about the company’s community programs, visit www.symetra.com/community.
About Symetra
Symetra Financial Corporation is a diversified financial services company based in Bellevue, Washington. In business since 1957, Symetra provides employee benefits, annuities and life insurance through a national network of benefit consultants, financial institutions, and independent agents and advisors. For more information, visit www.symetra.com.