FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
United Way of Hernando County
Angie Bonfardino, CEO
352-688-2026 Angie@UnitedWayHernando.org
Suncoast Credit Union Foundation
Invests in Early Education Through United Way
Spring Hill, FL – United Way of Hernando County announces a charitable gift of $5,000 from the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation. This the generous donation will benefit United Way’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, currently providing over 1,100 Hernando pre-school children with a free book every single month from birth to age of five. The books are mailed directly to enrolled children regardless of their family’s economic status. This investment will sponsor an additional 192 children with a one-year scholarship (equivalent to 2,304 books) on United Way’s DPIL program and allows United Way to continue providing Hernando preschool children free books to help them grow their own little library and prepare them for kindergarten.
“The first few years of education and preparedness are the most crucial to establishing a solid foundation from which children can adapt to school systems and learn successfully,” explained United Way of Hernando County CEO Angie Bonfardino. “During this period, children develop primary skills that form the foundations of reading, counting, and social interaction. The levels of preparedness with which a child enters kindergarten are academic and emotional, and they rely most heavily on being prepared at home,” she continues. “Access to quality and age-appropriate books is often taken for granted, especially for low-to moderate families,” Bonfardino stated. “We make it our mission at United Way to continue building these partnerships, such as with Suncoast Credit Union, to further expand our outreach and enrollment capacity for the Imagination Library here in Hernando County.”
“Contributing to strengthening the reading level and enjoyment for any child is important and life changing but assisting in early childhood reading is a significant marker for overall academic and life success,” said Jeff Kunberger, Executive Director of Suncoast Credit Union Foundation. “We cannot imagine a better investment or one that aligns as strongly with our mission and we are very proud to partner on this initiative with United Way of Hernando County.”
Suncoast Credit Union, Florida’s largest credit union, founded the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation to promote the education, health and emotional well-being of children in the community. Each time a Suncoast member uses their debit or credit card; the credit union donates two cents to the Foundation to fund local initiatives. Since its inception in 1990, the Foundation has raised and donated over $45 million.
###
United Way of Hernando County, Inc.:
United Way of Hernando County (UWHC) was established as a 501c3 organization in 1987, and since then has continuously focused on creating partnerships and mobilizing our community to seek sustainable solutions to some of the most pressing local needs. UWHC strategically allocates Community Investment Funds in Health, Education, & Financial Stability programs with proven results and local impact. UWHC works hard to balance the growing demand for basic services such as food, utilities, and rent assistance, with our ongoing commitment to tackling the underlying causes of complex issues. United Way partners with businesses and organizations that share our vision for improving lives through the power of collective impact and working together. Our support for long-term commitments is essential to addressing key social issues, such as helping children, youth, adults & elders, encouraging health and wellness, including physical and emotional care, promoting financial stability and self-sufficiency, and crisis intervention. For more information on how YOU can LIVE UNITED, visit www.UnitedWayHernando.org.
About Suncoast Credit Union:
Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state of Florida, the 8th largest in the United States based on membership, and the 10th largest in the United States based on its $18.5 billion in assets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union currently operates 78 full-service branches and serves more than 1.2 million members across Florida. As a community credit union, anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Suncoast Credit Union’s service area is eligible for membership. In 2021, Suncoast Credit Union’s field of membership was expanded to include public K-12 teachers, college educators, and educational support staff from all of Florida’s 67 counties. Suncoast is passionate about community support. Since its founding in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated more than $45 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education, and emotional well-being of children in the communities that the credit union serves. For more information, visit suncoast.com or follow us on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.