WSFS Teaches Younger Generations the Value of Giving Back with Take Your Children to the Community Day

By Kyle Babcock | Published: May 2021

For years, WSFS has helped instill the value of service to the community in future generations each April through “Take Your Children to the Community Day,” WSFS’ spin on the national “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.”

After the early stages of the pandemic forced the cancellation of the event in 2020, WSFS and its Associates got to work with its nonprofit partners to find safe and socially distanced ways to bring the event back for the seventh time in 2021.

“Take Your Children to the Community Day is a chance to highlight WSFS’ culture of service, and our Associates who make this day successful by living our Mission of ‘We Stand For Service,’” said Vernita Dorsey, SVP and Director of Community Strategy at WSFS Bank. “Our Associates were devastated when volunteer events had to be put on pause due to the pandemic, but throughout the past year, we’ve been able to work closely with local nonprofits to find safe ways to continue to serve the community.”

On April 22, more than 100 WSFS Bank Associates, their children and family members took to their communities to volunteer throughout Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey to teach the next generation the value of helping others and the impact they can make.

Volunteer events were held at Lift Up Lake Street, Delaware Humane Association, Delaware Center for Horticulture, First State Community Action Agency, Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding, Chester County Food Bank, Jewish Relief Agency, Cradles to Crayons, Rolling Harvest Food Rescue, Good Neighbor Home Repair, UrbanPromise NJ and Cathedral Kitchen.

For these local nonprofits, and many others across the country, the pandemic has hit especially hard, as many were forced to cancel major fundraisers and close their facilities to volunteers even as the needs of those they served increased.

With the help of enthusiastic volunteers, however, these organizations were able to find creative and engaging ways to give back while remaining safe.

“Delaware Humane Association (DHA) was thrilled to welcome volunteers back into our building for the first time since March 2020 through WSFS’ Take Your Children to the Community Day,” said Cory Topel, Marketing Manager at DHA. “WSFS has been a critical part of our success for many years, and we are very grateful for our relationship.”

WSFS Associates and their families spent Take Your Children to the Community Day helping out in a variety of ways – from cleaning facilities and parks to repairing porches, packing and sorting donations, and planting and gardening.

With many activities taking place outdoors, some volunteers were forced to brave chilly conditions, but that couldn’t put a damper on the excitement of these volunteers.

“It wasn’t raining and the sun was shining,” said WSFS Associate Lauren Lane, who volunteered planting crops for the Chester County Food Bank. “It was cold and winds were gusty, but if the farmers can do it, I believe our team can as well.”

That positive attitude was apparent from volunteers at each event.

“Pennypack Farm & Education Center was delighted to have WSFS volunteers work with us through Rolling Harvest Food Rescue to help out at the farm,” said Kristy Gregory, Program Coordinator at Pennypack Farm & Education Center. “They took on the weeding task with vigor and good humor. While the group was small, they accomplished a lot! Having a curious second grader in the mix was awesome and her enthusiasm was contagious, with her motto, ‘let's do this!’”

“WSFS has blessed the UrbanPromise (UPM) community through support in funding with grants and volunteering for our Make a Difference Service Weeks,” said Pamela Foxx, Chief People Officer at UPM. “WSFS provides banking business support and most recently its Associates transformed our campus butterfly mascot garden into a beautiful safe place where our young people can flourish. Words cannot express our gratitude for how WSFS honors the UrbanPromise vision and mission.”

“WSFS is grateful to our community partners for hosting us and helping to find safe ways to volunteer,” said Dorsey. “We’re proud to play a role in teaching children the importance of serving the community with the help of our nonprofit partners.”

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