[Alexandria, VA] – United Way is working with Fannie Mae in eight cities across the U.S. on 7 Days to SERVE (Serving, Engaged & Ready Volunteer Employees), a week-long event where thousands of Fannie Mae employees volunteer at nearly 250 United Way-led projects in the communities where they live and work. 7 Days to SERVE began Sunday and runs through June 15th. Volunteer events are scheduled in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Ft. Lauderdale, Irvine, Pasadena, Philadelphia and Washington, DC.
“Collaborating with Fannie Mae on the first ever 7 Days to SERVE reinforces and extends United Way’s efforts to help build communities dedicated to service, volunteering and supporting the key areas of education, income and health,” said Stacey D. Stewart, U.S. President, United Way Worldwide. “It’s an opportunity for employee volunteers to bring their passion and expertise to projects they hold close to their heart. It has been an honor for United Way to connect thousands of Fannie Mae volunteers with organizations working on the front lines to advance the common good. The positive impact of 7 Days to SERVE will be felt for some time.”
Volunteers will assist with the construction and refurbishment of residential homes for lower income families through Habitat for Humanity in Washington, DC, Atlanta and Los Angeles. Others will help prepare and serve meals or distribute nutritious food to families through organizations such as the Salvation Army. In Chicago, employees are volunteering with Junior Achievement to teach 42 sixth graders the basics about saving money and starting a business, and in Los Angeles, volunteers are helping veterans and youth with job interview and resume writing skills.
In Dallas and Washington, DC, employee volunteers will assemble “literacy kits,” complete with books and items relating to the story that help improve young children’s reading ability and comprehension. United Way will distribute the literacy kits to area nonprofits working with young children. Fannie Mae employees also are bringing much needed items such as non-perishable food, toiletries, diapers and professional clothing to their workplace to be donated to local nonprofits serving low-income populations.
"From enabling families to buy, refinance or rent a home to volunteering through our community service program, making a positive difference in neighborhoods is at the heart of Fannie Mae's identity,” said Kelli Parsons, Senior Vice President & Chief Communications Officer, Fannie Mae. “We created 7 Days to SERVE to provide our employees a platform to apply their skills and commitment in a consolidated effort to address housing-related issues in our communities. And, they have responded enthusiastically, partnering with United Way and some of the country’s leading nonprofit organizations to volunteer for nearly 250 activities in 7 days across America.”
About United Way United Way, a worldwide movement in 41 countries and territories, includes more than 1,200 local organizations in the United States. It advances the common good by focusing on education, income and health – the building blocks for a good quality life. LIVE UNITED is United Way’s call to action for everyone to give, to advocate and to volunteer to improve conditions in their local community. For more information about United Way, please visit: UnitedWay.org.