Check was Presented to the Organization’s President and CEO Traci Wickett
Texas Border Business
Brownsville, Texas – Wells Fargo & Company announced today a $15,000 donation to the United Way of Southern Cameron County. Founded in 1955, United Way of Southern Cameron County is committed to improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities to advance the common good. The organization’s has become the leader in convening people and organizations to address the community’s most pressing problems.
The funds donated by Wells Fargo will serve to support the organization’s Vello Online Tutoring and VITA Programs. Vello is a one-on-one tutoring program for students and volunteer tutors to read books from a virtual library, which helps, improve a child’s reading ability. Vello promotes a strong start in reading for students in kindergarten through third grade. The VITA program is national program offering free help to people who make a limited income and need assistance preparing their tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic tax return preparation with electronic filing. Volunteers inform taxpayers about special tax credits for which they may qualify such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled. VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations.
Typically, the Vello program allows Wells Fargo team member volunteers an opportunity to volunteer for a quick half-hour a week from anywhere and from any device. The program provides an entire classroom with a custom programmed and secured reading station that is aligned to classroom curriculum and state standards. Meanwhile, team member volunteers have also been involved in the VITA programs in South Texas for several years, helping local low-income families fulfill their tax obligations and file accurate returns on time while opting to tax credits and programs they qualify for based on their income.
“Our partners at Wells Fargo Bank are always there for United Way of Southern Cameron County. We are thrilled that Wells Fargo bankers are improving the reading skills of struggling 2nd graders through our Vello program and increasing the financial stability of low and moderate income families by funding the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance initiative,” said Traci Wickett, president & chief operating officer of United Way of Southern Cameron County. “Most of all we value the time and talents of the Wells Fargo bankers who have served in leadership roles on our Board of Directors through the years.”
“At Wells Fargo we are deeply committed to making a positive impact in the communities we serve. We donate to a wide range of nonprofits as a way to help address some of the social, economic, and environmental challenges our communities face,” said Claudia Cantu-Grimaldo, district manager for Wells Fargo in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. “At the local level, we focus our philanthropic activities on creating long-term, strategic relationships with nonprofits and other organizations to create innovative, sustainable solutions to meet local needs. We couldn’t be prouder to be making an impact right here in the heart of the LRGV by contributing to these amazing programs through such a reputable organization.”
