Here Matters
At Synovus, we’ve always been dedicated to the communities where we live and work. Through our community outreach program, Here Matters, our team members demonstrate that deep commitment through acts of service and financial giving that strengthen our communities. Here Matters outreach efforts focus on three essential categories of giving: education, needs-based, and health and wellness.
Hearing from the team matters, too
Team members not only select outreach opportunities, they take the lead in organizing and delivering them. And if you ask the team, “Why does here matter to you?,” their personal commitment to community outreach becomes clear.
Here can mean “place” and “now” and that matters to me because my place is my community and my time is now. We all have one opportunity to live our lives to the fullest and that should include contributing to our communities to make a better place for our families, friends, neighbors, those in need, and for ourselves. For Synovus to provide space in our work lives to help our individual communities and to commit the resources to make a larger impact across all of our communities served matters A LOT to me.
Myung Cogan (17 years)
Business Development Manager
Athens First Bank & Trust Co.
I’ve lived in Columbus all of my life. Columbus and the surrounding area matter to me. So many people get down on their luck - some from circumstances beyond their control. There are so many needs in our communities. It can be overwhelming to try to figure out how to make a difference. Here Matters takes away the overwhelming part. I am a part of a very large team that is strategically and methodically making a difference by addressing these needs!
Winston A. McQuaig, Jr. (39 years)
Senior Learning Business Partner
Synovus Learning and Development
As Community Development Manager for Synovus Mortgage, home is important to me. Our Here Matters program speaks to the heart of being connected and active in the communities we serve. I love that Synovus Mortgage conducts first-time homebuyer workshops in various communities across our footprint to help borrowers become mortgage-ready; after all, home ownership is part of the fabric of strong communities. We want individuals and families to know we are here to help them reach their goals and achieve their dreams.
Daryl Ward (6 years)
Community Development Manager
Featured event
During the fourth quarter of 2016, The Bank of North Georgia focused its Here Matters efforts on raising money for the Action Ministries “Feed the Hungry” campaign. BNG raised more than $67,000 for the campaign, exceeding its 2016 goal. In fact, BNG has participated in this campaign for four years and has consistently exceeded its goal every year. The funds raised in 2016 will provide more than 13,400 boxes of food or 268,000 meals for families in the Atlanta area. Team members at each branch location helped customers learn about the program, and how each $5 donation allows Action Ministries to pack a food box containing staples and non-perishables that provide several days of meals for hungry Georgians.
Honoring our team matters
We couldn't be more proud of all the Synovus team members who contribute to Here Matters efforts, but we're especially honored to feature our latest recognition award winner.
Tiffany Williams
Customer Insights Analyst
Tiffany Williams, Customer Insights Analyst, is said to give so much of her time to community outreach that it’s like her second job. Tiffany’s nights and weekends are full of activities focused on giving back to the community. Some of her activities include taking minority students to visit college campuses, helping disabled students with after-school science projects, distributing books to children in low-income communities, packing food boxes for food pantry distribution, and providing monthly mentoring to high school juniors and seniors, just to name a few.
Ginger Pearson
Executive Assistant, NBSC, Myrtle Beach
Ginger Pearson, executive assistant in NBSC's Myrtle Beach branch, is the first Here Matters Division Chairman to be recognized as a Here Matters quarterly winner. Our Division Chairmen are chosen by leaders to coordinate corporate and local outreach activities in their markets. Ginger was recognized for selflessly leading our "Over and Under Project" to collect new or gently-used coats/jackets, blankets, umbrellas – the OVER items – as well as new undergarments for adults and children – the UNDER items. She also recognized for organizing our Bottled Water Drive, Myrtle Beach's annual March of Dimes fundraiser, and other NBSC charitable endeavors. Ginger's efforts were especially significant during the "Over and Under Project," which was underway last October when the area was hit by Hurricane Matthew. Through Ginger's efforts, the branches not only collected "Over and Under" items, but also other supplies for those affected by the hurricane. She also reached out to a number of organizations to assist with providing meals for those in need in the aftermath of the storm.
