‘Swift to Serve’—Symetra Celebrates its Ninth-Annual Week of Service

Symetra, a national provider of employee benefits, annuities and life insurance, sent nearly 500 employee-volunteers from its Bellevue headquarters out into the community this week for the ninth annual Symetra Week of Service. Employees took time from their work days, rolled up their sleeves and tackled volunteer projects throughout the Puget Sound region and across the country. Symetra employees participated in 82 projects on behalf of 40 nonprofit organizations nationwide, and have contributed nearly 12,000 Week of Service hours since the program’s inception in 2009.

“Symetra Week of Service is both a reflection of our employees’ volunteer spirit and a genuine expression of our ‘Swift to Serve’ core value,” said Symetra CFO Margaret Meister, who was among the volunteers participating in this week’s projects. “As a company, Symetra is committed to making a positive impact in our communities. As individuals, our employees are empowered to give back to the causes and organizations that matter to them personally through hands-on service opportunities like this much-anticipated annual program.”

2017 Symetra Week of Service (June 12 - 16) nonprofit partners and activities in the Puget Sound area:

Amara

Volunteers did general gardening and cleaning at the organization’s Seattle campus.

American Heart Association of Puget Sound

Two groups of volunteers assembled craft kits and made handmade cards and finger puppets for kids undergoing cardiac treatment at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

American Red Cross—King County

Volunteer teams helped with facility and vehicle maintenance at ARC’s Seattle office, while CPR training and a disaster preparedness course was held at Symetra’s Bellevue office.

Bellevue LifeSpring

Volunteers helped pack summer meals for students in need.

City of Kirkland

Volunteers tackled park maintenance at Houghton Beach and helped clean the kitchen at Peter Kirk Community Center.

City of Renton

Volunteers weeded, removed litter and spread beauty bark at the Renton Senior Activity Center.

Eastside Baby Corner

Volunteers helped organize donated items (clothing, shoes, toys, baby supplies) at the organization’s Issaquah and Kenmore locations to get them ready for distribution.

Food Lifeline

Volunteers packed bulk food items into smaller portions for families in need.

Green Kirkland Partnership

Volunteers helped with park maintenance and cleanup at Cotton Hill Park and Juanita Bay Park.

Green Plate Special

Volunteers weeded, composted, organized a tool shed and cleaned a chicken coop at Green Plate’s Rainier Valley garden.

Hopelink

Volunteers tackled a gardening project at the Carnation location.

Imagine Children's Museum

Volunteers cleaned and painted the interior of the Everett museum.

Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank

Volunteers sorted and packed food for delivery.

Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center

Volunteers assisted with maintenance at the organization’s Redmond facility.

Mary’s Place

Volunteers helped make meals for families at the Seattle location.

Northwest Harvest

Volunteers sorted and re-packaged bulk food at the Kent location for distribution to food banks and schools throughout Washington state.

Ronald McDonald House of Western Washington & Alaska

Volunteers in the field cleaned, organized and did yardwork at this facility for families with children being treated at Seattle Children's Hospital, while volunteers at Symetra’s Bellevue headquarters decorated and packed snack and lunch bags for families staying at Ronald McDonald House.

Ryther

Volunteers assisted with general grounds-keeping and garden maintenance at the organization’s campus in Seattle’s Wedgwood neighborhood.

Seattle Children’s Hospital

Volunteer teams helped with yard work and also lead playroom arts and crafts projects for patients.

Seattle PrideFest

Volunteers hosed the Symetra booth at Volunteer Park.

Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank

Volunteers assisted clients with shopping and check-out at the food bank in North Bend.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Volunteers helped with the St. Jude’s booth during the Rock n’ Roll Marathon Expo in Seattle.

Summit Assistance Dogs

Volunteers helped train and groom adult dogs and puppies.

Treehouse for Kids

Volunteers sorted, tagged and restocked merchandise, and helped prepare the organization’s Rainier Valley store for shopping days.

Wellspring Family Services

Volunteers supported the Baby Boutique in Seattle by organizing the store and sorting donations.

Westside Baby

Volunteers sorted clothing donations, packaged diapers and checked for toy recalls at the Seattle location.

Outside of the Puget Sound area, Symetra employees in Ashland, Wisconsin; Enfield, Connecticut; Miami, Florida; Norcross, Georgia; Waltham, Massachusetts; and West Des Moines, Iowa participated in volunteer activities on behalf of 14 nonprofits:

• Ashland—American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life; Ashland Parks and Recreation; Vaughn Public Library.
• Enfield—Dakin Humane Society; Elizabeth Park Conservancy; Enfield Food Shelf.
• Miami—Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens; Chapman Partnership
• Norcross—Norcross Cooperative Ministry.
• Waltham—Waltham Boys & Girls Club; Cards for Hospitalized Kids.
• West Des Moines—Animal Rescue League of Iowa; Children’s Cancer Connection.

Follow Symetra Week of Service activities @Symetra, #SymetraCares. To learn more about the Symetra’s community programs, visit www.symetra.com/community.

About Symetra

Symetra Financial Corporation is a diversified financial services company based in Bellevue, Washington. In business since 1957, Symetra provides employee benefits, annuities and life insurance through a national network of benefit consultants, financial institutions, and independent agents and advisors. For more information, visit www.symetra.com.