Giving back from a distance: Holiday generosity in the midst of COVID-19
In a year of unprecedented need, Raymond James associates and advisors found new ways to spread joy in their communities.
Raymond James associates join the United Way Suncoast and Tampa Bay Bucaneers at our food and toy drive.
The winter holidays mark a season filled with giving at Raymond James – beginning with our annual United Way Campaign and continuing through the season with charitable activities in Raymond James locations around the world. And despite the unusual circumstances, this year proved to be no different.
United Way Day meets Sack Hunger & Stack Toys
The firm kicked off the season with a special event combining two longstanding partnerships: the United Way and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This year, we combined our annual United Way Day – the celebratory commencement of our firm-wide giving campaign – with Sack Hunger & Stack Toys, a food and toy drive in partnership with the Bucs benefitting Feeding Tampa Bay and Toys for Tots. Associates were given the option to donate online or in-person via a drive-through food and supply drive at the Raymond James corporate headquaters in St. Petersburg.
Together with the help of the Buccaneers, the United Way Suncoast and several Raymond James volunteers, approximately 700 toys were collected for Marine Toys for Tots, and more than 3,000 pounds of food (about 2,500 meals) were collected for Feeding Tampa Bay.
“This level of giving in such a difficult year really is a testament to the culture of the firm,” said Director of Corporate Responsibility Andrea Masterson. “I think this new format of giving back we’ve adopted this year – drive-through, physically distant food and supply drives – has been a unique opportunity for associates to connect with their communities and with one another.”
Holiday giving amplified around the world
In addition to the firm-wide event, Raymond James departments and locations around the globe kicked their holiday giving into high gear this year. Our Raymond James Financial Services home office team held their own drive-through collection event, resulting in 1,078 pounds of food distributed to St. Pete Free Clinic. Raymond James Bank chose to support Florida Resurrection House, raising $2,500 to purchase presents, Christmas trees and decorations for hardworking mothers.
On the other side of the country in our San Francisco Investment Banking office, associates surpassed their fundraising goal for Raphael House, raising $1,500 for one family in need through the Adopt-a-Family program. And across the pond in our U.K. offices, associates raised £10,000 for The Big Give’s Christmas Challenge, which will provide 80,000 meals to families in need with the organization’s match.
“Giving back to the communities in which we live and work is a key part of the firm’s mission year-round,” said Masterson. “But it’s incredibly special to see Raymond James associates around the world surpassing philanthropy goals and inventing new ways to give back this holiday season.”
Raymond James Cares
Together, we make a difference to build, strengthen and grow our communities. To learn more about the firm’s corporate philanthropy, click here.
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