Be seen. Be heard.

By JAKE BUCKLER
a legacy of giving
WOODFOREST CHARITY FOUNDATION
PROVIDES SUSTAINED ACTS OF CHARITY
BY JAKE BUCKLER
Pictured left to right:
Advisory Board Member Charles
Marling, President Robert E. Marling,
Vice President & Executive Director
Kim Marling, Vicki Richmond, and
Board Member Dr. David Gottlieb
Wouldn’t it be great to be able to keep on donating to your favorite charities? This is the
essence of what the Woodforest Charitable Foundation does in The Woodlands … and every
area that Woodforest National Bank serves.
The WCF was founded in 2005 as a means of creating an
organization that would provide a legacy of giving in perpetuity in
every market that Woodforest National Bank (WNB) serves. The
organization is the vision of Robert E. Marling Jr., Chairman & Chief
Executive Officer of Woodforest Financial Group, Inc. and Chief
Executive Officer of WNB. Its purpose is to provide support for numerous
charities with a primary focus upon supporting organizations
dedicated to preventing hunger and many other charities that
provide housing, healthcare and family support to those in need.
“While it’s great that organizations such as United Way can
raise money for their causes,” said Robert, “once that money is
donated, it’s gone. If the following year is tough, it becomes harder
to raise the same amount. WCF is creating a legacy of charitable
giving so that many worthy organizations will continue to receive
the help they are deserving of well beyond our lifetimes.”
The most recent example of the WCF’s concept of sustained
giving is the $1 million commitment it made to the Montgomery
County Food Bank, which is to be paid out over a five-year period.
In May, WNB made another $3,000,000 contribution to the foundation
to help sustain and increase future charitable giving; in 2012
WNB donated $5,000,000. In addition, WNB employees also perform
a host of fundraisers each week throughout the year benefitting
the WCF.
“Giving back is a big part of WNB’s culture” said Kim Marling,
WCF Executive Director. “It starts with senior management and extends
to all employees across the country. Every month, the bank’s
staff performs a variety of fundraising events, with each branch
deciding on its own fundraisers. Since 2008, the foundation has
focused on the fight against hunger, and in Montgomery County,
we have an even broader focus. This year, the WCF has distributed
more than $417,000 in Montgomery County alone, with total contributions
for various local charities totaling $1,553,947.”
The foundation’s primary focus, according to Kim Marling, is to
support organizations working to prevent hunger among the working
poor and their families. “America is the wealthiest country in the
world, yet so many children are at risk of hunger,” she said. “Lack of
proper nutrition can affect a child physically, emotionally and socially.
Nutrition is a basic necessity, and we believe our focus provides
the most significant impact within an individual’s life. It’s the perfect
mission to focus on here and across the country.” WCF supports
programs such as the BackPack program, which provides a weekend
food supply to children who are at risk of hunger. “The WCF
has provided $1, 775,494 in the fight against hunger,” she added,
“and has made contributions to charities in excess of $3, 581,000.”
The WCF provides funding to organizations whose mission is to
provide decent housing to the working poor and disabled veterans,
healthcare for low-income families and individuals, and programs
offering a variety of family support and social services. “Although
the economy has struggled over the past four to five years, the
Foundation has continued to increase its support in communities
where WNB serves,” Kim said. “This comes at a time when many
organizations have had to cut back on charitable donations due to
the struggling economy and the impact it has had on businesses.”
The foundation’s daily operations are conducted by Kim
Marling, Executive Director and Vice President of the Board of Directors.
She is assisted by Vicki Richmond, Secretary and Treasurer
of the Board of Directors, Dr. David Gottlieb, board member,
and two staff members.
i
TO REQUEST A CHARITABLE FOUNDATION FORM
call (832) 375-2273 or send an email to
info@woodforestcharitablefoundation.org
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