AT&T gives $22,500 to United Way Suncoast

For over 60 years, AT&T and the AT&T Foundation have supported the United Way nationally and locally. Today, AT&T continues this legacy of support through a contribution of $22,500 to United Way Suncoast. In 2016 alone, AT&T gave $5 million to 500 local United Ways across the country.

United Way Suncoast will use the contribution to support programs that create long-lasting change in the local community. The United Way is dedicated to improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good, as is evident from the work the United Way Suncoast is doing in Florida. For example, in the past year, the organization:

· Provided educational support for more than 300,000 local children across DeSoto, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Sarasota counties.

· Provided pre-employment services for nearly 1,400 individuals including GED preparation, technical certifications and more to help gain or maintain employment with family sustaining wages.

· Prepared more than 18,000 tax returns at no cost through the Volunteer Tax Preparation program, resulting in $20 Million in refunds to the community, which helped pay debt, secure safe housing and more.

· Organized more than 43,000 volunteer hours, which delivered nearly $1 million in value back to the community.

“Generous gifts like this from caring corporate partners are so important to creating lasting change in our community,” said Suzanne McCormick, President and CEO of United Way Suncoast. “This gift will help sustain critical educational and financial programs that help our neighbors break free from the cycle of generational poverty and achieve their full potential.”

In addition to this contribution, each year AT&T employees take part in an employee giving campaign that provides millions of dollars to nonprofit organizations, including the United Way. In 2015, AT&T employees, including employees represented by the Communication Workers of America, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers or the Telecommunications International Union, pledged $37.4 million through this campaign.

“AT&T shares United Way’s commitment to strengthening communities and improving lives,” said Andrew Hall, AT&T regional director. “The United Way Suncoast’s support for programs with proven results in our community improves the lives of our citizens by connecting them with resources and expertise that help them succeed.”