Fifth Third Shares the Love

Pictured, front row,  left to right, Sandy Updegraff, Manager, Holland Downtown 8th St. Branch; Louann Werksma, Greater Ottawa County United Way; Cindy Putnam. Back row: Deb Risselada and Luis Ramos.

Fifth Third Bank Employees give, advocate, volunteer and LIVE UNITED all year. And then some. In April and May of this year, Fifth Third associates on the Lakeshore recognized each other's hard work with "Shields of Recognition" -- thank you notes in the shape of a shield that they purchased for $1 per note.

Fifth Third's United Way champion, Sandy Updegraff, said, "By recognizing others in our organization, we build stronger relationships with our team members and help each other feel positive about our ability to make contributions to something larger than ourselves.  People were excited about the opportunity to purchase the shields knowing the proceeds would go to United Way.  On the Lakeshore, we sold 520 shields."  On Monday they donated the $520 proceeds to the community -- and the check was gratefully received on behalf of the community by Louann Werksma of Greater Ottawa County United Way.