Giving from the heart

I love September – not only for the start of football, back to school time, and perfect fall weather – but also because it’s the month we kickoff Wells Fargo’s annual Community Support Campaign. The Community Support Campaign is a point of pride for Wells Fargo, and an opportunity for team members to come together in support of organizations and communities they care about. The reason we care for the communities we serve is plain and simple: it’s the right thing to do.  

Last year, Wells Fargo team members recorded more than 2 million hours of community service time, and United Way Worldwide named Wells Fargo’s Community Support Campaign the top workplace giving campaign in the U.S. for the 10th consecutive year. It’s one of the many reasons I’m so proud of our company and our team members.

At a community support event in San Francisco last month, I was joined by special guests, Kelly Dunn from Rubicon and United Way's Anne Wilson. Wells Fargo and the United Way have a long history of working together, and I am continually impressed with the work they do nationwide to help solve our most pressing community issues. Rubicon, a Bay Area non-profit, equips people to move out of poverty by addressing multiple needs such as income, financial literacy, connections, and wellness. I have developed a special affinity for Rubicon because of my steadfast belief in the power and hope of second chances.

Giving back was not something I was used to growing up, but as I grew older and started working with people who were volunteering, serving on boards, and contributing to charities, I had a moment of truth. I was seeing for myself the difference each of us can make when we bring awareness and enthusiasm to the causes we are passionate about. I came to learn there is great satisfaction in looking outward and lending a hand to those who need it most.

Kelly said it best at our community event: “When we give, we want to give from the heart.” I’m sure many of you have organizations you are passionate about, but if you haven’t found one yet, I would encourage you to find a cause and a way to give that has meaning in your life. Like me, you may be surprised by how rewarding it is to give from the heart.