Navy Federal Teams Kicked Off the Season With Park Clean Ups

By Amber V. Smith | October 9, 2023

Most team bonding activities include ice breakers, trivia games or a scavenger hunt. However, for these Navy Federal team members, volunteering in their local communities proved to be an ideal way to build connection.

Earlier this year, team members from both our Vienna, VA and Pensacola, FL campuses stepped up to clean up parks in their respective communities.

The Pensacola team partnered with local nonprofit Keep Pensacola Beautiful in support of their efforts to keep the area’s 93 parks clean for residents to enjoy. The team successfully removed 25 pounds of trash from Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park, ensuring the 103-acre park was ready for the season’s upcoming sports activities.

Navy Federal Manager Joey Miller says he’s proud of the volunteer efforts of his team. 

“Everyone enjoyed seeing each other and coming together [for] a common goal and cause that has direct impact to others and [our community]," says Joey.

Meanwhile, in Vienna, VA, our team members partnered with Fairfax County Invasive Management, an organization that works to reduce invasive plants from the area’s parklands. The group removed 5 bags of invasive vines and weeds from a small suburban park, providing a safe walking space for residents and their dogs.

Team Member Pierre Espinoza loved being able to interact with his fellow colleagues for a good cause.

“I enjoyed interacting with my teammates while giving back to the community. It was a great boost for mental health and an opportunity to rid the environment of some invasive plant species,” he shared.

Supporting Our Team Members' Volunteer Efforts

Navy Federal believes in caring for the communities that surround our operations and beyond. And, it’s why we encourage our team members to support the causes and organizations that matter to them by providing 8 hours of paid volunteer leave through its Operation: Give Back program.

For team members like Pierre, the opportunity to volunteer during the work week helps him in his personal mission of connecting with his community.

“It's a gratifying feeling to donate time and energy to a greater cause that could potentially change lives or simply allow us to continue to have a symbiotic relationship,” said Pierre.