HUECU Volunteers Hit 200 Hours

In April, the Harvard University Employees Credit Union launched the Volunteer Initiative Program (VIP) to help the local community and increase employee engagement. Since then, employees have leaped at the opportunity to volunteer their time to area non-profit organizations. This month, HUECU employee volunteers achieved a significant milestone. Collectively, they have donated over 200 VIP hours to the community.

“To reach 200 hours in just nine months is phenomenal,” said Tom Montilli, Chief Experience Officer (CEX) of HUECU. “I’m looking forward to more exciting opportunities to lend a helping hand to serve Cambridge and greater Boston.”

To date, HUECU has held 11 volunteer events aimed at helping the environment, housing, food insecurities, and healthcare. Volunteers have prepared meals at Rosie’s Place, packed more than seven-hundred boxes of food for local distribution at Food For Free, cleaned up the Charles and Esplanade, and helped collect donations to benefit cancer research and patients.

One such volunteer effort was a visit to the Harvard Square Y2Y shelter. It is a student-run overnight shelter that employs a youth-to-youth model to provide a safe and affirming environment for young adults experiencing homelessness. HUECU CEO & President Craig Leonard was one of the Y2Y volunteers. “Volunteering is a call of duty and a responsibility for me. Leonard explained, “This amazing organization–which is right in our backyard–aligns with the mission and vision of everything HUECU stands for, not a bank, a benefit.”

In addition to providing employees with work hours to volunteer, HUECU also presents employees with dollars they can donate to non-profits and offers a fifty-dollar match for the organization of their choice. HUECU also hosts supply and holiday drives where members and employees can participate. Giving back is a vital part of HUECU’s culture.