Sallie Mae Employees Help Make This Thanksgiving Special for Needy Virginia Families

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sallie Mae employees gave Thanksgiving fixings to assemble 525 holiday meals for families in need in Northern Virginia. The Thanksgiving baskets were supplemented by grants from the company’s charitable organization, The Sallie Mae Fund, to help local families purchase a turkey or other items. Two leading area service organizations, Reston Interfaith and Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc. (Friendly, Instant, Sympathetic Help), will distribute the baskets to area residents. Combined, the in-kind and cash contributions totaled more than $26,000.

“Our goal was to feed at least 450 area families this year, and we exceeded that goal,” said Erin Korsvall, director of community outreach, Sallie Mae. “Even in challenging economic times, Sallie Mae employees continue their strong tradition of giving back to our less fortunate neighbors.”

This year, employees were encouraged to consider themselves “Heroes” for the cause, following the theme of the popular television show. Inter-departmental competition heightened employees’ focus on the annual food drive and enhanced results. One employee opened bidding on having his head of hair shaved for the cause. His effort alone raised $2,500.

Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc. is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people meet emergencies and short-term needs. The organization responds to requests for rent, transportation to medical appointments, furniture, utilities, medical items and other short term emergency needs, and through its call service connects residents to sources of assistance. FISH has assisted Herndon-Reston residents for over 38 years.

Reston Interfaith is a nonprofit organization serving Northern Virginia that promotes self sufficiency through support and advocacy for those in need of food, shelter, affordable housing, quality childcare, and other services. Founded in 1970 by area religious organizations, Reston Interfaith offered comprehensive programs for more than 13,000 individuals and families in Reston, Herndon, and the surrounding area last year.

SLM Corporation (NYSE:SLM), commonly known as Sallie Mae, is the nation’s leading provider of saving- and paying-for-college programs. The company manages nearly $178 billion in education loans and serves 10 million student and parent customers. Through its Upromise affiliates, the company also manages more than $19 billion in 529 college-savings plans, and is a major, private source of college funding contributions in America with 9.5 million members and $450 million in member rewards. Sallie Mae and its subsidiaries offer debt management services as well as business and technical products to a range of business clients, including higher education institutions, student loan guarantors and state and federal agencies. More information is available at www.salliemae.com. SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.

The Sallie Mae Fund, a charitable organization sponsored by Sallie Mae, achieves its mission—to increase access to a postsecondary education for America’s students—by supporting programs and initiatives that help open doors to higher education, preparing families for their investment, and bridging the gap when no one else can. For more information, visit www.salliemaefund.org.