Sallie Mae Celebrates "Day of Giving"

"Sallie Mae and its employees generously donate their time and resources to the community all year," said Lisa Stashik, vice president at Sallie Mae. "We all appreciate the help these charitable organizations provide to our neighbors, families and friends, especially this time of year. We're proud to do our part to support their efforts."

Tom Sires, Volunteers of America; and, Anita Rusinko, Sallie Mae

Karen Makowski, Sallie Mae; Sister Catherine McGroarty, Catherine McAuley Center; Anita Rusinko, Sallie Mae

As part of the "Day of Giving," Sallie Mae donated $1,000 to each of the following nonprofit organizations:

The Catherine McAuley Center

Catholic Social Services, Men's Homeless Shelter

Junior Leadership Wilkes-Barre

Ruth's Place: House of Hope

SPCA of Luzerne County

United Rehabilitation Services

VA Medical Center Wilkes-Barre

Victims Resource Center

Volunteers of America, Kids Aging Out of Foster Care

Volunteers in Medicine

Additional donations in the amount of $750 each were delivered to:

ALS Association

American Heart Association, Wyoming Valley Chapter

Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Bridge

Center for Cancer Wellness Candy's Place

Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center

The Lands at Hillside Farms

Liv with Autism Foundation

Special Spaces

In addition, employees at Sallie Mae's Wilkes-Barre servicing center participated in gift drives in coordination with the Luzerne County Head Start and the Luzerne County Children and Youth Services.

As one of the largest employers in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Sallie Mae celebrated its 25^th anniversary in Wilkes-Barre this year. Its employees contribute and volunteer regularly in the community. In addition, The Sallie Mae Fund has contributed $119,000 in Wilkes-Barre and Luzerne County in 2012.

(Information from Nikki Lavoie of Sallie Mae)