Citi Cards Above and Beyond
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It is a viscous circle that in more difficult economic times, more people need the help of philanthropy, yet during more difficult times, fewer philanthropic sources exist. Citi Cards is proud to continue to give back to a community that has been its home for 16 years. Each month, the business works hard to provide Citi Cards' more than 2,200 employees volunteer opportunities. Additionally, Citi Cards is always looking to expand its community involvement program. For example, for the first time, Citi Cards participated in building 3 houses for Habitat for Humanity.
Citi Cards strives to promote a philanthropic attitude throughout its employee base. Citi Cards promotes engaging its employees in volunteer opportunities that create lasting relationships between its employees and local charities.
Many new philanthropic activities into which Citi Cards expanded benefited the youngest, and most vulnerable Kansas Citians. Dozens of Citi Cards employees participate in the YouthFriends program. In 2002, Citi Cards expanded this program to include e-friends, where weekly our employees e-mail students.
Our yearly Bear Drive expanded in 2002. Each year, Citi Cards collects donations and stuffed animals to give to ill children at Children's Mercy Hospital. These toys provide comfort to children before surgeries. In addition, doctors use the toys to show children, in a non-threatening manner, anatomically where and how the surgeries will be performed.
Coupling with this effort, Citi Cards proudly adopted a giant teddy bear statue that is displayed as part of the City-wide "March of the Teddy Bears.” The funds from these bears supports Children's Mercy Hospital and the Toy and Miniature museum. One of Citi Cards' own employees decorated Citi's bear.
For 2002, Citi is expanding its Adopt-A-Family program as well, by becoming the title sponsor of KUDL's Adopt-a-Family radiothon.
Nearly 500 children's books were collected during Make a Difference Day, Oct. 26th. These books were distributed to local organizations who can put the books into the hands of children that do not have enough to read.
Citi Cards is proud to be a responsible corporate citizen and a role model for other philanthropic programs.