Regions’ Evergreen Week Turns Community Service into Lasting Commitment

As part of Regions Bank’s annual Evergreen Week, employees teamed up with United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) and United Way Hands On for a series of volunteer projects that supported schools, seniors and children across the Central Alabama community.

From spending the morning at CJ Donald Middle School in Fairfield for a campus beautification effort to preparing meals in the Meals on Wheels kitchen and tuning up bikes for local kids, employees dedicated their time to meaningful service. In total, Regions volunteers helped assemble 80 senior household kits, 100 senior breakfast kits and prepared more than 80 bikes that will soon be in the hands of children.

Evergreen Week is a Regions tradition that not only recognizes employees for their work in the office but also emphasizes their commitment to strengthening local communities. Partnering with United Way gave employees another opportunity to put that commitment into action.

Service Is Its Own Reward

At CJ Donald Middle School, volunteers worked alongside Kala Goudy, one of United Way’s five Community School Coordinators. In her role, Goudy serves as a bridge between the school and community partners, helping connect students with opportunities and resources that enrich their education. This work is part of United Way’s inCommunity initiative, which supports schools by connecting them with services that promote safer and more supportive learning environments.

Volunteers spent the morning picking up trash, planting flowers and trimming overgrown areas to brighten the school grounds. For Rex Bittle, Branch Manager at Regions, this marked his second time volunteering at CJ Donald.

“The staff is always excited to see us and very welcoming. It always feels good to give back to students,” Bittle said.

Another Branch Manager spent her morning planting flowers, something she enjoys outside of work as well.

“Regions really promotes giving back and gives us days to volunteer. I chose this opportunity because it resonates with me,” she said. For the employees, seeing students benefit from a welcoming and well-kept campus made the effort especially rewarding.

When volunteers show up, students see that their school matters to the community.

“That encouragement goes a long way in helping them feel supported and motivated,” said Goudy.

Partnership that Keeps Giving

Regions also partnered with CJ Donald earlier this year to host Regions Reality Check, a hands-on financial education simulation for incoming sixth graders. The program introduced students to real-world budgeting and decision-making in an engaging way that encouraged confidence and curiosity about money management.

Regions’ longtime partnership with United Way of Central Alabama continues to make a difference. This year’s Evergreen Week turned one week of service into lasting support for schools, seniors and children.