To celebrate teachers and nurses during their national appreciation weeks, Addition Financial Credit Union hit the road on their weeklong “Thank You Tour,” visiting a range of schools and medical centers in the Central Florida area.
Every year in the United States, National Teacher Appreciation Week is takes place during the first full week of May, offering the chance to acknowledge the hard work, passion, and dedication of teachers who shape the minds of future generations. Similarly, National Nurses Week, celebrated annually from May 6 to May 12, honors the compassion, skill, and tireless care of nurses nationwide, concluding on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.
To recognize these local heroes, Addition Financial team members stopped at eight schools and hospitals in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, and Volusia counties from May 5-9, delivering picnic baskets for raffle winners, while some locations enjoyed a gourmet coffee bar. Their “Thank You Tour” initiative pays homage to the Central Florida educators who founded the credit union in 1937.
“This campaign is personal for us,” Richard Barbari, Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships at Addition Financial, said. “We were founded by a group of educators nearly 90 years ago, and it is part of who we are to stand by those who dedicate their lives serving and caring for others. This tour is just one way we can say, ‘Thank you – we appreciate everything you do.’”
The “Thank You Tour” stopped at the following schools and medical centers:
- Zenith Accelerated Learning Academy (Kissimmee)
- HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital (Poinciana)
- AdventHealth Altamonte (Altamonte Springs)
- Linkin Park Education Center (Clermont)
- Lawton Chiles Middle School (Oviedo)
- HCA Florida Osceola Hospital (Kissimmee)
- Westridge Middle School (Orlando)
- Freedom Elementary School (DeLand)
For teachers, Christina Hopkins, Assistant Principal at Westridge Middle School, said she feels teachers deserve an immense amount of support, especially now.
“It is amazing to receive this kind of support from Addition Financial, especially within this community where we need all the help we can get,” Hopkins said. “Right now, it is a really hard time to be a teacher so I think any way we can help support them is great. They deserve the world, but at least we can give them something today, and I think they really appreciate that.”
The “Thank You Tour” left lasting impressions on the nurses and teachers who received visits, truly making them feel appreciated.
“Addition Financial’s thoughtful gesture meant a great deal to us, especially during Nurses Week. Our nurses were still talking about it days later,” Stephanie Acosta, Director of Communications and Community Engagement at HCA Poinciana Hospital, said. “It brought smiles, boosted morale and reminded them how appreciated they are by our community. Acts of kindness like this make a lasting impact.”
For more information on Addition Financial’s other community outreach programs, visit www.additionfi.com.