Published by Trustmark on June 14th, 2022
From the sweetest gift on a softball diamond in West Texas to sorting books for underprivileged kids near Trustmark’s headquarters in Lake Forest, Ill. From dropping off cookies to volunteer firefighters and hospice workers in Ohio, to helping prep a summer camp for children with special needs in Atlanta. From volunteering at a food bank outside Minneapolis to spending a big piece of an Arkansas vacation helping a friend’s parents assemble furniture and clean out a storage shed.
These examples are just a sampling of how associates made a difference in the communities they live and work during Trustmark Cares Third Annual Community Week.
“Trustmark is known for its caring culture and that culture is on full display during Community Week,” said Kevin Slawin, President and CEO. “I’m inspired by the way our associates embraced Community Week and participated via volunteering, good deeds and random acts of kindness.”
All benefits-eligible associates receive a half-day of paid-time off each year, and Community Week is a popular time to use those hours.
“Community Week is fast becoming one of our favorite Trustmark traditions,” said Dan Mandarino, who heads Trustmark Cares. “From organized group volunteer activities to simple gestures that made someone’s day, it is remarkable the way associates go beyond during Community Week.”
One of those remarkable acts was what happened on that West Texas softball diamond. Trustmark’s Stephanie Barnes coaches her 9-year-old daughter’s softball team. When Barnes learned that the older sister of a player on an opposing team was facing a serious surgery, she asked her team to get creative with things to present to her at an upcoming game.
The entire team, siblings and parents got involved. They presented this girl with notes, beautifully drawn pictures, snacks and gift cards.
“The smile on her face was amazing,” Barnes said. “The girls on my team got so into it and were so excited to try and make this meaningful for her.”
As for Joe Gillis, he was buying lunch at a sub shop when he noticed a man who looked exhausted after working outside all morning in the heat. He decided to pick up lunch for the man.
“I think Community Week makes you more aware of the importance of doing nice things for others,” Gillis said. “The man was so appreciative; he thanked me multiple times.”
Michelle White dropped off water for volunteer firefighters during a heatwave in the Northeast.
“I had been thinking about how I could support them, and when the Community Week emails started popping up in my inbox I knew it was the perfect time,” Michelle White said. “My young teenage daughters were in the car with me and we had a great conversation around helping other people, volunteering and supporting your community. I plan to continue to look for simple, but meaningful ways to spread community care going forward.”
As part of Community Week, Trustmark offered associates the chance to form teams and earn points based on their participation.
The first-place team of Rachelle Hennessy, Gretchen Fahn, Sue Peck, Tracee Murrell, Amanda Catrombon and Alicia Bullock spent the week sending positive text messages, helping senior citizens, organizing food donations, assembling a deck for neighbors, paying for people behind them in line, supporting youth sports and promoting pet security.
The Trustmark Foundation will honor each of the top three teams by donating money to a 501(c)(3) non-profit of the team’s choice. The first-place team receives $2,000 and second and third $1,000 and $500, respectively.
The first-place team selected Connections for Abused Women and Their Children (CAWC) for their non-profit. CAWC, located in Chicago, has been a leader in the mission to end domestic violence since 1977.
The second-place team designated the money to Feeding America (a nationwide network of food banks), while the third-place team chose Puppies Behind Bars, an organization that teaches inmates to train service dogs for veterans, bomb squad teams and first responders.
These examples are just a sampling of how associates made a difference in the communities they live and work during Trustmark Cares Third Annual Community Week.
“Trustmark is known for its caring culture and that culture is on full display during Community Week,” said Kevin Slawin, President and CEO. “I’m inspired by the way our associates embraced Community Week and participated via volunteering, good deeds and random acts of kindness.”
All benefits-eligible associates receive a half-day of paid-time off each year, and Community Week is a popular time to use those hours.
“Community Week is fast becoming one of our favorite Trustmark traditions,” said Dan Mandarino, who heads Trustmark Cares. “From organized group volunteer activities to simple gestures that made someone’s day, it is remarkable the way associates go beyond during Community Week.”
One of those remarkable acts was what happened on that West Texas softball diamond. Trustmark’s Stephanie Barnes coaches her 9-year-old daughter’s softball team. When Barnes learned that the older sister of a player on an opposing team was facing a serious surgery, she asked her team to get creative with things to present to her at an upcoming game.
The entire team, siblings and parents got involved. They presented this girl with notes, beautifully drawn pictures, snacks and gift cards.
“The smile on her face was amazing,” Barnes said. “The girls on my team got so into it and were so excited to try and make this meaningful for her.”
As for Joe Gillis, he was buying lunch at a sub shop when he noticed a man who looked exhausted after working outside all morning in the heat. He decided to pick up lunch for the man.
“I think Community Week makes you more aware of the importance of doing nice things for others,” Gillis said. “The man was so appreciative; he thanked me multiple times.”
Michelle White dropped off water for volunteer firefighters during a heatwave in the Northeast.
“I had been thinking about how I could support them, and when the Community Week emails started popping up in my inbox I knew it was the perfect time,” Michelle White said. “My young teenage daughters were in the car with me and we had a great conversation around helping other people, volunteering and supporting your community. I plan to continue to look for simple, but meaningful ways to spread community care going forward.”
As part of Community Week, Trustmark offered associates the chance to form teams and earn points based on their participation.
The first-place team of Rachelle Hennessy, Gretchen Fahn, Sue Peck, Tracee Murrell, Amanda Catrombon and Alicia Bullock spent the week sending positive text messages, helping senior citizens, organizing food donations, assembling a deck for neighbors, paying for people behind them in line, supporting youth sports and promoting pet security.
The Trustmark Foundation will honor each of the top three teams by donating money to a 501(c)(3) non-profit of the team’s choice. The first-place team receives $2,000 and second and third $1,000 and $500, respectively.
The first-place team selected Connections for Abused Women and Their Children (CAWC) for their non-profit. CAWC, located in Chicago, has been a leader in the mission to end domestic violence since 1977.
The second-place team designated the money to Feeding America (a nationwide network of food banks), while the third-place team chose Puppies Behind Bars, an organization that teaches inmates to train service dogs for veterans, bomb squad teams and first responders.
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