Bank tellers usually spend their time counting money or processing checks for customers. Recently, a local bank used their hands in a different way.
During the summer BB&T helped U Care, Inc. by remodeling areas of its domestic violence shelter through its Lighthouse Project.
“That was really cool,” said Pam Gonzalez, director of the domestic violence program.
Some of the work includes remodeling of upstairs and downstairs bathrooms. Work in the room included the replacement of window blinds and light fixtures.
The BB&T Lighthouse Project gives employees an opportunity to provide financial assistance to charities and help such as landscaping, preparing meals or painting. Since 2009, associates have contributed more than 385,000 volunteer hours, which have benefited millions of people. Some of the organizations receiving aid include the Ronald McDonald House and the United Services Organization/Wounded Warrior Project.
“Each year our associates vote to continue the BB&T Lighthouse Project another year,” stated BB&T Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kelly S. King. “It truly is rewarding to realize with a little more time and energy everyone can make a difference.”
Carolina Friends School, a private co-educational Quaker school in Durham, also assisted the shelter by painting. BB&T provided the paint.
“It was a blessing,” Gonzalez said about the much-needed work. “For the past two years, we’ve stayed full just about all the time. And that takes a lot of wear and tear on the shelter.”
The work from the bank and school would have cost U Care $10,000 if the group had to pay for it. Gonzalez said employees are also limited on time. In addition to interior upgrades such as air conditioning units, yard work was also completed.
“The timing was excellence,” she said about the facility that helps people seeking refuge from abusers.
Throughout the year, U Care depends on organizations to help with needs such as transportation to haul donations. The carpet and the roof also need to be replaced. To help with such needs, U Care employees are preparing for a basketball tournament and its reverse drawing, scheduled for February 2017.
Known as one of the organization’s biggest fundraisers, the reverse drawing is an annual tradition in a style of bingo, but in reverse. A date for the basketball tournament has not been determined, but the second annual event may take place in October. An inaugural event was held last year with several teams participating in the five-on-five competition.
For more information about sponsorship opportunities or team registration, contact Gonzalez or Sunny Wilkins at 910-596-0931. Care, Inc. can be accessed online through Facebook by typing “U Care, Inc.” in the search bar or by visiting www.ucaredv.org.