United Way Suncoast has unveiled the Top Volunteer Workplaces in the Tampa Bay region (Hillsborough and Pinellas counties) for 2014, its inaugural time doing so. Hundreds of workplaces and thousands of their employees participate in volunteer projects year-round through United Way Suncoast volunteer affiliate, HandsOn Suncoast. Their impact is far-reaching, and while greatly appreciated, goes often unrecognized. Similiar in notion to theMost Generous Workplaces list, which recognized those companies whose generosity was generated via workplace campaigns and fundraising, the Top Volunteer Workplaces recognizes those who gave the most time – in volunteering, that is.
“This is not another top-ten list; it is a sincere reflection of the compassionate culture that many organizations in our community nurture.” – Emery Ivery, Tampa Bay area president of United Way Suncoast.
The list compiles volunteer hours completed in calendar year 2014 that is tracked through United Way HandsOn Suncoast via its free digital platform at www.VolunteerSuncoast.org, which also serves as a directory for individuals and companies to find volunteer opportunities that coincide with their personal passions – sort of like a matchmaking service for volunteer work. HandsOn Suncoast is the volunteer arm of United Way Suncoast, and the two are celebrating their 20th anniversary of partnership this year.
In 2014 alone, nearly 43,000 volunteer hours were completed by individuals. More than 25,000 of those hours were individuals representing their respective workplace. Monetarily, this equates to a value of over $965,000 in added value back to the community. (The Independent Sector, a leadership forum for charities, foundations and corporate giving programs, calculates the value of a volunteer in 2013 at $22.55 per hour.)
A roster of 30 Bay-area workplaces in three categories – small, medium, and large – were chosen for fostering a culture of compassion and philanthropy via their time and energy.
Top Volunteer Workplaces – Suncoast 2014
Large Workplaces (500 or More Locally-Based Employees)
1) Publix Super Markets, Inc.
2) Humana/Careplus
3) City of St. Petersburg – Human Resources/Community Affairs
4) City of Clearwater
5) Time Customer Service, Inc.
6) Cox Target Media / Valpak
7) Bank of America
8) WellCare
9) Allstate Insurance Company
10) Moffitt Cancer Center
Medium Workplaces (50-499 Locally-Based Employees)
1) Tampa Bay Lightning
2) United Way Suncoast
3) Florida Blue
4) Acclaris
5) Travelers
6) United Healthcare
7) Smiths Microwave
8) Southwest Florida Water Management District
9) Franklin Street
10) Florida Power & Light Company
Small Workplaces (49 or Less Locally-Based Employees)
1) Capital Collateral Regional Counsel
2) CALIBRE
3) Lee Davis Neighborhood Services Center
4) Time Warner Cable
5) Principal Financial Group
6) GE Aviation
7) Children’s Nest Day School
8) Kass Shuler Law Firm
9) Big Sur Technologies, Inc.
10) Clearwater Pain Management Associates
