In the Mountain State , Dominion Energy , Truist Financial Corporation , United Bank and West Virginia American Water have made a significant impact on the most pressing issues facing their customer bases , employees and the West Virginia communities they serve .
Through the Employees in Action volunteer initiative , the company and its team members supported and undertook a variety of projects in 2020 , including creating accessible outdoor spaces for disabled community members and holiday care packages for foster system youth ; distributing homemade blankets , hygiene and water care kits and meals to citizens experiencing homelessness ; restoring a home for a family in need ; revitalizing a school library ; removing trash along waterways ; restoring historic artifacts for Parkersburg ’ s Oil & Gas Museum ; and planting hundreds of trees .
“ Our tagline is actions speak louder ,” says Mitchell . “ Actions speak louder is exemplified through our employee ’ s volunteer service throughout the communities we serve . Our employee volunteers are the heart and soul of our company . They share a special commitment to improve our communities , one project at a time .”
Truist Financial Corporation
Truist Financial Corporation formed in December 2019 when BB & T and SunTrust Banks merged . Bobby Blakley , West Virginia regional president for Truist , says that the company ’ s purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities .
“ We ’ re bringing our purpose to life in a goal-oriented and measurable way through environmental , social and corporate governance ,” he says . “ We ’ re creating initiatives , structures and processes that embed social responsibility across all our businesses — in our social impact and diversity and inclusion practices , environmental and financing initiatives and underlying systems of governance .”
Truist Foundation , the company ’ s philanthropic organization that was established in March 2020 , has supported historically black colleges and universities through grant funding , committed at least 10 % of its total supplier budget to minority and women-owned businesses , dedicated $ 15 million to energy and water reduction efforts and committed $ 2.4 million in renewable energy and sustainability financing .
Through its $ 60 billion Community Benefits Plan , Truist lends to and invests in low- to moderate-income communities . The company is the first regional bank to offer a social bond — $ 1.25 billion to fund social programs , including affordable housing , community development and low-income housing tax credits , according to Blakley .
“ Our goal is to help level the playing field , so all people have equitable opportunities to thrive ,” he says .
Its support to Sprouting Farms , a nonprofit farm and education resource center in Summers County , will help develop a virtual learning platform to deliver agricultural job training programs in partnership with other workforce development agencies that serve low- to moderate-income residents , including disadvantaged youth ; those who are unemployed , formerly incarcerated or in recovery ; and other vulnerable populations . Truist Foundation has also supported the launch of the West Virginia Women ’ s Business Center . The company also offers a matching gift program for employees who financially support nonprofits they ’ re passionate about .
“ The Truist Foundation does more than write checks to nonprofits ,” says Blakley . “ We ’ re partnering with communities to co-create initiatives that drive lasting change .”
United Bank
Nationally , United Bank provides more than $ 2.5 million in donation and sponsorship funds annually , benefitting more than 1,000 organizations with 25,000 team members spending time as volunteers .
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