Fifth Third Bank Announces Campaign to Serve Tampa Bay Veterans and Military Families

St. Petersburg, Fla. (Oct. 25, 2013) — According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly 284,000 veterans live in the Tampa Bay area. To support those troops and their families, Fifth Third Bank (Tampa Bay) has partnered with the Folds of Honor Foundation and Rebuilding Together to lead the following efforts:

Collecting Donations for Education: From Oct. 28 to Nov. 22, all 48 Tampa Bay area Fifth Third banking centers will collect and match donations for Folds of Honor Foundation, a nonprofit that provides scholarships and other assistance to the spouses and children of soldiers killed or wounded in action. At the conclusion of the campaign, Fifth Third Bank will match donations up to $5,000 locally. Currently, 13 Folds of Honor scholarship recipients reside in the Tampa Bay area, two of which attend college in St. Petersburg.

Creating Hope by Rebuilding Homes: On Nov. 7, more than 15 local bank employees will join Rebuilding Together, a nonprofit that provides critical home repairs and renovations for low-income families, to refurbish the home of Kathryn Branham, a 56-year old Army veteran who lives in Tampa with her daughter, Kiona. This local effort is part of a larger nationwide mission: Fifth Third Bank (Bancorp) has donated $150,000 to Rebuilding Together for eight home rebuild projects for veterans in six U.S. cities, all taking place on Nov. 7. 

“We are honored to be able to serve our veterans, military and their families. By collecting donations to support education, and to help rebuild homes, we hope to give back to those who have already given so much,” said Brian Lamb, president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank (Tampa Bay).

“Fifth Third Bank continues to be a strong supporter in our mission to leave no family behind on the field of battle,” said Thomas Tansil, executive director for the Folds of Honor Foundation. “We are extremely humbled by the generosity from the bank, and look forward to a long relationship.”

To find the nearest Fifth Third Bank financial center, visit www.53.com.