WSFS Associates Make an Impact in the Community for We Stand for Service Day and More

By Kyle Babcock | Published: June 2023

For nearly 200 years, WSFS’ core tenet has been service for both its Customers and Communities.

On June 14, 2023, WSFS emphasized its commitment to service by celebrating the inaugural “We Stand for Service Day.” This Company-wide day of giving back to Communities through volunteerism saw approximately 1,200 Associates join together to volunteer nearly 5,000 hours and make an impact at organizations across the Greater Philadelphia and Delaware region.

Volunteer events were held in all three counties in Delaware at organizations such as the Delaware Center for Horticulture and Humane Animal Partners; in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania at organizations like Cradles to Crayons and the Chester County Food Bank; and in Burlington and Camden counties in New Jersey at organizations including Cathedral Kitchen and the Animal Welfare Association.

“WSFS is a Community bank with deep roots in the Greater Philadelphia and Delaware region,” said Vernita Dorsey, Senior Vice President, Director of Community Strategy at WSFS Bank. “We Stand for Service Day is one step toward our vision of a day when everyone will thrive. It is an ambitious goal, but days like these get us closer to achieving it.”

“It was a great day for WSFS and our Communities,” she added. “When our Communities do well, we do well, and when we do well, we are able to continue supporting our Communities, forming a virtuous cycle that allows us to strengthen as we serve, and as we strengthen, have more opportunities to serve.”

WSFS’ efforts in its Communities continued throughout the week, as it supported the University of Delaware (UD) Athletics’ inaugural 302 Tour, a three-day, state-wide trip across Delaware, where UD student-athletes, coaches and other leaders had the opportunity to engage with local communities as well as business and government leaders.

On June 13, WSFS joined the 302 Tour to volunteer with UD students and teens from REACH Riverside on a service project to clean streets in Wilmington.

“We are honored to support the University of Delaware Athletics’ inaugural 302 Tour,” said Scott Baylis, Senior Vice President and Business Banking Division Manager. “The 302 Tour focuses on educating student-athletes, engaging with Delawareans, working on community projects for a better Delaware, and meeting with local leaders for a greater appreciation of what it means to represent the great state of Delaware.”

The week of service was capped on Friday, June 16, when WSFS and members of the board of the WSFS CARES Foundation celebrated WSFS’ efforts to support its Communities by ringing the Nasdaq Stock Market Opening Bell in Times Square.

WSFS continued the spirit of giving back through volunteerism on Juneteenth, partnering with the Philadelphia Union to volunteer at Chester High School, painting murals and performing landscaping work to beautify the school grounds.

“We Stand For Service is more than just our brand, it is our mission. It drives who we are,” Dominic C. Canuso, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer said at the Nasdaq Stock Market Opening. “A great example of this is the WSFS CARES Foundation. The Foundation provides grants for initiatives that are innovative and focused on sustainable positive impacts on affordable housing, economic empowerment, education and leadership, and strengthening those in need. We also exemplify our mission through volunteerism. Every month, our Associates are allocated four hours of PTO to volunteer at a nonprofit of their choice. In 2022, WSFS Associates volunteered almost 18,000 hours of their time to enhance our region.”

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About the Author – Kyle Babcock
Kyle Babcock is Integrated Communications Strategist at WSFS Bank. He has a decade of experience in product and professional services marketing, communications and advertising.