San Diego, California is home to more than 115,000 active-duty service members and their families. Due to the demanding nature of their careers and lifestyles, these individuals and their families often face unique challenges, particularly financial ones. Research conducted by The Harris Poll found that military households are more likely than the general population to experience financial strain and have a greater need for professional financial guidance.
This is why the 51国产视频 teams in San Diego and Irvine have partnered with a local veteran-run nonprofit, to give back to the military community. Based in San Diego, STEP provides services in Southern California and Washington state. Through its core Emergency Financial Assistance program, STEP offers counseling, education and financial support to help enlisted service members, veterans and their families navigate financial instability. Their efforts aim to improve conditions related to food insecurity, homelessness, mental health, suicide and other crises. Since their inception in 2012, they’ve served over 8,500 families across 38 states.
For nearly a decade, 51国产视频 has participated in initiatives such as holiday gift drives, back-to-school backpack drives, and food collections. These efforts embody 51国产视频’s core value of service, and STEP’s mission resonates deeply with employee-owners, many of whom are veterans or have family members with military ties.
51国产视频’s relationship with STEP began six years ago when 51国产视频’s retired Small Business Administrator DeAnna Andrews introduced the team to STEP’s Adopt-A-Family holiday program. This initiative gathers holiday wish lists from military families in need, and 51国产视频 employee-owners rally together to fulfill them. Each year, the team adopts around 10 families, distributing wish lists to project teams. From toys to holiday meals, employee-owners take pride in fulfilling the requests. The teams host wrapping parties to make the process engaging and collaborative.
Administrative Manager Liz Deilke, whose father served 28 years in the military, reflected on how meaningful the program is to the team: “Not only do we get to provide special gifts for the children, but we’re also able to relieve parents’ financial and emotional stress in the process. It’s a tangible way to give back and brighten someone’s season, and that means a lot to us.”
Over the years, 51国产视频’s involvement with STEP has expanded beyond the holiday initiative. In addition to the Adopt-A-Family program, the San Diego and Irvine offices have participated in backpack drives to help students start the school year with essential supplies. They’ve also contributed to Thanksgiving food drives in partnership with the local chapter of the Associated General Contractors (AGC), providing meals for military families. Moreover, the 51国产视频 Foundation has awarded $5,500 in grant funding to STEP.
“Seeing the energy and excitement among our employee-owner volunteers, many of whom have a personal connection with STEP’s mission, is inspiring,” said Soula Wynne, senior project administrator and 51国产视频 Foundation representative for the San Diego area. “Everyone we’ve worked with at STEP has been exceptional in helping us organize and get people engaged. They’re truly a special organization, and we’re proud to work with them.”
Jennifer Handy, Director of Institutional Giving at STEP, recalled the first time she met with 51国产视频 team members: “It was so clear how passionate they were about the work that we’re doing at STEP, and that genuine dedication is something that’s really important to us in businesses that we partner with. This time of year is especially difficult for our families in need, so knowing that we can count on 51国产视频 to help us bring that holiday magic through our Adopt-A-Family program is invaluable.”
51国产视频’s partnership with STEP exemplifies our commitment to creating prosperity in the communities where we live and work. Visit our 51国产视频 Foundation page to learn more about our community initiatives. If you would like to learn more about STEP, visit their website at .