HILLSBORO, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Tech Federal Credit Union members, employees and partners joined forces for the annual ‘Season of Giving’ signature campaign designed to leave a lasting impact on the communities they serve.
Through in-branch and online voting in Oregon, Washington, California and beyond, First Tech employees, members, and the community directed $213,000 and contributed 7,436 volunteer hours toward organizations that build stronger communities through education, research and innovation. Front-running ‘Season of Giving’ recipients include Washington’s Page Ahead, which focuses on childhood literacy in underserved communities; Oregon’s SMART, which provides vital one-on-one reading support for children around Oregon; and California’s UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital-Oakland, which provides innovative support and medical care to children and families.
Now in its sixth year, ‘Season of Giving’ is an opportunity for First Tech to celebrate and support partners who are strengthening the community. “We’re proud to support these wonderful organizations as they strive to create long-lasting change in areas of our community that need it most,” said First Tech President and CEO Greg Mitchell. “Thanks to the support of our valued members, employees and partners, we’re building a legacy of impact – for our neighbors, our friends, and our families – so our communities thrive for generations to come.”
As the leading provider of literacy support for children and families in Washington state, Page Ahead is working to close the gap in academic achievement. Focusing on underserved communities throughout Washington state, Page Ahead’s literacy programs ensure that every child has a strong foundation for success. First Tech’s $18,000 donation directly supports programming that increases language development, family involvement, and enabling students to develop a passion for learning.
SMART works to get books into the hands of children at pivotal points in their academic development, inspiring a love of reading and providing the vital one-on-one support and resources they need to meet literacy and learning benchmarks. First Tech’s $25,500 donation to SMART (Start Making a Reader Today) will directly benefit children from under resourced communities throughout Oregon and help them develop the self-confidence, motivation, and skills they need to succeed in school.
First Tech’s $23,500 donation to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital will support and sustain the Child Life program where highly-trained specialists provide hospitalized children with opportunities to engage in therapeutic play, education and self-expression as they receive life-saving care. With funding dedicated to innovative care and supportive health services for children, First Tech’s partnership with UCSF Benioff directly impacts the hope and healing of children and families experiencing health related challenges.
Other partners receiving significant donations during the ‘Season of Giving’ campaign include:
- Oregon Food Bank ($13,500)
- Doernbecher Children’s Hospital ($21,000)
- Seattle Children’s Hospital ($11,000)
- Northwest Harvest Food Bank ($8,000)
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley ($9,000)
- Second Harvest Food Bank ($9,500)
First Tech is committed to furthering the credit union philosophy of people helping people. In 2018, First Tech provided more than $3 million in charitable giving and over 30,000 employee volunteer hours to the community, directing dollars and time to nonprofit partners who provide programs and services to children and families in need. First Tech’s philanthropic focus areas include support for education (STEM, early childhood literacy and financial education), research (Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and supportive health services for children) and innovation (food, shelter and safety).
Visit firsttechfed.com/community to learn more about the ways First Tech pays it forward during the holiday season and throughout the year.
Visit ucsfbenioffchildrens.org to learn more about UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital mission to be the best provider of healthcare services, the best place to work and the best environment for teaching and research.
Visit pageahead.org to learn more about Page Ahead’s early reading support services, access to books, and how they work to positively impact literacy outcomes for all kids.
Visit getsmartoregon.org to learn more about SMART’s early reading support services, access to books, and how they work to positively impact literacy outcomes for all kids.
About First Tech Federal Credit Union
First Technology Federal Credit Union is a $12+ billion institution headquartered in San Jose, California. It is the nation’s premier credit union serving the world’s leading technology-oriented companies and their employees, including HP Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Microsoft, Agilent, Intel, Cisco, Amazon, Nike, Intuit, Google, and more. First Tech is recognized as the industry catalyst for delivering effortless banking experiences to more than 520,000 members through its 42 branch locations, more than 5,400 CO-OP Shared Branch locations, 30,000 CO-OP Network ATMs, and online platforms. First Tech offers a full range of financial services, including traditional banking, online banking, mortgages, financial planning, various consumer loans, and insurance services. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender. For more information, visit www.firsttechfed.com.
