Fiserv Gives Back: Volunteer Effort Exceeds Goal of 25,000 Hours, Supports Organizations in Milwaukee Area and around the World
Brookfield, Wis., December 8, 2009 - Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV), the leading global provider of financial services technology solutions, today announced that in recognition of its 25th year as a company, Fiserv employees have reached and in fact will far exceed the goal of donating 25,000 volunteer hours to hundreds of charitable organizations across the world during the company's anniversary year. Fiserv was formed in 1984, when Sunshine State Systems, Inc. in Tampa, Fla. and First Data Processing based in Milwaukee, Wis., combined to form the first national financial services technology provider. Fiserv has grown over the two and half decades into a Fortune 500 Company with nearly $5 billion in revenues. Currently there are approximately 900 associates in the Milwaukee area, which is the Fortune 500 Company's headquarters.
The "Fiserv Gives Back: 25 for 25" community service program was launched in July to mark the 25th anniversary of the company and give its 20,000 employees an opportunity to volunteer together to multiply their positive impact in local communities. Fiserv employees volunteered to help hundreds of groups, including local schools, civic associations, children's organizations, shelters, food pantries, animal shelters, community events, fundraisers for research into cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and various other worthy causes.
"Fiserv is proud to be headquartered in Wisconsin, and we are proud of our associates and their commitment to the larger community, giving of their time to worthy groups year round. It was interesting to see the variety of causes we support - ranging from volunteering to help local schools and marching bands, scouting, clean-up efforts, efforts to fight cancer, and so many other admirable causes. 'Fiserv Gives Back' is a way to recognize our employees' efforts and say thanks to each one of them for their volunteerism," explained Jeff Yabuki, Fiserv President and Chief Executive Officer.
Fiserv used a database for employees to record hours supporting the organizations and efforts of their choice. Company associates have logged more than 27,000 hours since the summer and are continuing to donate every day. Highlights of Fiserv volunteers from the Milwaukee area who contributed above and beyond the call of duty are included below.
Mike Kowalski, assistant vice president of sustaining engineering, Bank Solutions, has worked at Fiserv for the past 26 years. Mike volunteers his time with the 190 students of the Waukesha West High School band, the Cadets, where his sons were members. While his children have graduated, Mike still teaches marching drills, repairs instruments, builds sets and props, wires the electronics and offers guidance for the band. He says he likes to volunteer, despite the long hours, because he is a firm believer that the arts play an important role in a child's education.
Glenn Kozicki, vice president, Fiserv Enterprise Technology, who has worked at Fiserv for 36 years, divides his volunteer time between PAVA, which is an aid program for the highland communities in Guatemala, and as a reader and tutor at Whittier Elementary School in Waukesha. Glenn is on the PAVA U.S. board of directors and will travel to Guatemala in January for his seventh consecutive year. He says his experiences, which have been incredible, have returned much more than he gives in friendships, smiles and sheer pleasure. Glenn says the people of Guatemala are so genuine and although poor financially, they are rich with their fun-loving personalities and they teach great lessons about the true meaning of family. That is why he also spends time reading to the grade school students at Whittier during the rest of the year to pass along the lesson.
Suzanne Bettendorf, Corporate Finance, loves to knit and turns her passion into a volunteer opportunity which warms newborns, students, and children and adults in homeless shelters. Suzanne knitted clothing, scarves, mittens and gloves for the MPTV Mittens and More Drive in Milwaukee. She says she knits most of the time she is not working and has accumulated several boxes of mittens, scarves, baby blankets, slippers and ear warmers. A friend urged her to donate to Mittens and More with MPTV, Milwaukee Public Television. MPTV received more than 1,500 items this year, including Suzanne's, which they distributed to 33 agencies and schools in the Milwaukee area.
Toys for Tots - For the past 14 years Fiserv employees have donated to help children in the Milwaukee area have a happy holiday by taking part in the Toy and Gift Drive. This year the drive extends through December 11. All donated gifts will be distributed to youth service organizations around the area.
Fiserv will continue to encourage employees to volunteer throughout the holiday season into March of next year. The company has announced a new goal of 50,000 hours by March 31, 2010 to continue the 25th anniversary celebration.
About Fiserv
Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV) is the leading global provider of information management and electronic commerce systems for the financial services industry, driving innovation that transforms experiences for financial institutions and their customers. Ranked No. 1 on the FinTech 100 survey of top technology partners to the financial services industry, Fiserv celebrates its 25th year in 2009. For more information, visit www.fiserv.com.
For more information contact:
Media Relations:
Lori Stafford-Thomas
Assistant Vice President
Corporate Communications
Fiserv, Inc.
262-879-5130
lori.stafford@fiserv.com
Additional Fiserv Contact:
Amanda McCracken
Communications Specialist
Corporate Communications
Fiserv, Inc.
262-879-5722
amanda.mccracken@fiserv.com