Giving year round: a short version of Santa's "nice" list.

• Author: Little, Candace M.
• Position: GIVING GUIDE 2009

Giving back to Utah's community doesn't have to be limited to the holiday season. Places like the Utah Food Bank Services need just as much support in July as they do in December. Though most companies begin feeling the giving spirit during December, some organizations extend a helping hand every month of the year, not just when Santa is watching.

People Helping People

America First Credit Union created the Community Assistance Program, or CAP, in 1989 as part of a 50th year anniversary celebration to help enhance the credit union is philosophy of "people helping people." Since then, America First has supported the community in many different ways.

"There are needs in our communities throughout the year," says John Lund, America First executive vice president. "And we tailor events to respond to specific situations, such as Warm The Soles, which provides brand-new shoes to at-risk school children in the winter. Similarly, we conduct fundraising for the America First Community Assistance Program year-round so that agencies in need can receive necessary benefits, regardless of the month."

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America First participates in more than a dozen charitable donations and activities each year, such as providing free shredding of personal documents, company-wide food drives, teaching financial education classes, sending video-recorded messages to soldiers abroad and providing substantial donations to 100% For Kids-Utah Credit Union Education Foundation, which gives donations to teachers for use in the classroom.

Lund says America First encourages its members and employees to participate in volunteer activities because the philanthropic efforts improve the organization. "Our employees and members freely give of their time and talents to many volunteer causes and organizations," he says. "These opportunities help our employees develop ties and bonds to their communities and one another."

Since 1998, the Care-A-Lot Employee Assistance Effort has allowed employees to set aside part of pay and vacation time to go toward fellow employees in need. Care-A-Lot, which has 84 percent employee participation, has provided financial assistance to 19 employees totaling $10,613, dinners for 102 employees and family members totaling $3,520, and leave for 12 employees totaling 786 hours. Since the program began, a total of 11,853 hours of leave and $608,150 worth of assistance has been donated.

"I take great pride in knowing I work for a company that...