TAMPA, FL, December 2022: As a leading not-for-profit credit union, GTE Financial is committed to giving back to the Tampa Bay community and putting members first. The credit union is fulfilling the holiday wish lists of eight member families through its Make Hope Real initiative for the 9th consecutive year.
Make Hope Real is an internal philanthropic effort to help families in need during the holiday season. With eight local families selected and 38 recipients, GTE fulfills each chosen member’s wish list to ensure each family has a special and memorable holiday season. Items on the wish lists included clothes, groceries, toys for their little ones, and more.
As an extra special gift, one family picked up their gifts at GTE’s headquarters during the wrap party, where GTE employees personally wrapped presents for the family. In addition to gifts for their children, the credit union surprised this family with a $500 Publix gift card for groceries and an additional $1,000 into their GTE account.
“It’s nothing short of a miracle that GTE could do this for our family at these times,” says Billy C, a recipient of Make Hope Real. I want this holiday season to be different for my kids, and now I can’t wait for them to wake up Christmas morning to everything they’ve ever wanted.”
GTE’s Make Hope Real initiative celebrates the credit union’s mission of “people helping people.” GTE members’ families were selected by submitting their personal stories and Christmas lists on GTE’s website during the submission process.
“Make Hope Real is near and dear to all of us at the cerdit union. It is extremely rewarding to work with our member families during this time of year, and now more than ever, they need us,” said Mandy Zurbrick, Chief Marketing Officer at GTE Financial.
To learn more about GTE’s charitable mission, please visit gtefinancial.org/about/community-engagement-investment/charities.
About GTE Financial
GTE Financial is a not-for-profit financial cooperative with more than $2 billion in assets and 23 Community Financial Centers located throughout West Central Florida. Chartered in 1935, GTE Financial is locally owned and operated in the Tampa Bay area, serving more than 230,000 individuals and businesses. More information on GTE Financial can be found at gtefinancial.org.
For more information, interviews, or media requests, please call (813) 644-7443 or email Savannah Cruz at pr@bkncreative.com.
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