Think of the banking industry.
Did it make you smile?
Yeah, us neither. But this did: Employees at GTE Financial, a Tampa Bay area credit union, raised enough money to sponsor two Southeastern Guide Dog Puppies. Sponsorship cost $5,000 per pup and includes naming rights for the dog. Employees raised the money through different fundraisers, including a Super Bowl-themed "spin-to-win" event and creating and delivering Valentine's Day grams.
Employees and GTE Financial's social media followers chose the name "Lumen" for one pup. GTE says it will allow social media followers to choose the name for the second dog.
Southeastern Guide Dogs, based in Palmetto, places guide dogs with the visually impaired and veterans. To date, they've matched almost 3,000 dogs. Private donations fund the agency.