Fiserv Gives Back: Volunteer Effort Exceeds Goal of 25,000 Hours, Supports Organizations in Portland Area and around the World
Brookfield, Wis., December 16, 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 Portland area.
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 organizations including local schools, civic groups, children's organizations, shelters, food pantries, animal shelters, community events, fundraisers for research into cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and various other worthy causes.
"In our 25th year we decided as a company to contribute 25,000 hours of volunteerism and are proud of our associates who have helped us to exceed this goal in less than four months," said Erich Litch, senior vice president and general manager of Consumer Services for eBanking, Fiserv. "Our associates in the Portland office are committed to contributing to the communities in which we live and work by donating time to many admirable causes, including scouting, food pantries, animal shelters, clean-up efforts, local schools, fundraisers to fight cancer and more. Reviewing the efforts of all of our associates helped us to understand the positive impact Fiserv associates are making in their communities every day. We are proud of our employees' volunteerism, say thanks to each one of them for their local leadership, and look forward to our continued involvement in the community."
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 Portland area who contributed above and beyond the call of duty are included below.
Carlene Frantz, project manager, Service Delivery, EFT, has worked at Fiserv for the past eight years. Carlene volunteers as an assistant scout master and an associated crew advisor with two separate groups in the Boys Scouts of America. She says she chose the Boy Scouts to work with children to try and make a difference in their lives, to teach them to give of themselves and help their community. Carlene says she is happy to give back to her neighborhood in any way she can.
Kelly Clarke, a settlement operations analyst for EFT Solutions, spends her free time volunteering for two no-kill animal shelters, West Columbia Gorge Humane Society (WCGHS) and Furry Friends. Kelly, who has been with Fiserv for more than 11 years, first got involved with WCGHS as a tribute to her veterinarian who provided her support when her cat was sick and who is an active volunteer at WCGHS. After meeting the founder of Furry Friends in 2008, Clarke decided to also volunteer with them because she agreed with their mission to help homeless, abandoned and abused pets by providing education, spaying and neutering, foster shelter and medical care until the pets are re-homed. Kelly's volunteer efforts at these two shelters include assisting in data entry, managing adoption lists, and running the organizations' retention programs, but her love of animals and desire to help them stays the same.
"Although the work can be emotionally draining at times, there is nothing like seeing an animal arrive in distress, receive needed treatments and then find their forever homes," said Kelly.
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