Huntington Bank’s first Service Heart Day was a powerful reminder of what can happen when employees come together in service of community. Volunteers across all Huntington Bank markets participated in the inaugural effort, with central Ohio accounting for a remarkable share of that total with 1,100 volunteers involved in hands-on service projects that made an immediate difference for local families.
United Way of Central Ohio helped coordinate 12 projects in central Ohio in partnership with Besa, engaging approximately 480 to 500 volunteers, nearly half of the event’s total participation. Those projects brought Huntington colleagues together to support United Way of Central Ohio’s Stuff the Backpack initiative, in addition to several of our nonprofit partners, including Alvis, Feed the Kids Columbus, Community Development for All People, Charity Newsies and Furniture Bank of Central Ohio.
At each site, Huntington colleagues showed up ready to serve. Roughly 150 volunteers wrote encouraging notes for backpacks at Huntington Gateway Center to support United Way’s Stuff the Backpack campaign, helping equip students with the supplies and encouragement they need to start the school year strong. Another 60 volunteers packed snack kits and wrote encouragement cards with Feed the Kids Columbus, while 60 more assembled hygiene kits for Alvis clients. In addition, smaller teams of volunteers supported Community Development for All People’s Free Store and Fresh Market, helping neighbors access food, clothing and essential household items.
Other central Ohio projects included multiple shifts at Furniture Bank of Central Ohio, where volunteers helped sort, organize and prepare furniture for families, and several shifts at Charity Newsies, where volunteers assisted with clothing support for children in need.
These efforts were matched by additional volunteer sites at Mid-Ohio Food Collective, Lifecare Alliance, Furniture with a Heart in Newark and Chillicothe Schools, extending Huntington’s reach beyond the projects directly coordinated by United Way.
What makes Service Heart Day especially meaningful is not only the scale of participation, but the lasting impact of the work. These projects support the building blocks of Success by Third Grade, helping children arrive at school prepared, supported and ready to learn. Whether through backpacks, food, hygiene products or home furnishings, the day reflected a shared belief that when families have what they need, children are better positioned to thrive in school and in life.
Huntington Bank’s first Service Heart Day also reflects its corporate culture and spirit, a spirit that is energized, community-minded and deeply committed to service. With a bold approach to employee engagement, Huntington is demonstrating that volunteerism is not just a value, but a living expression of its promise to strengthen communities.
