Team members making a difference through local Boys & Girls Clubs
Synovus team members are making a positive impact on the lives of young people through their volunteer work with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). They teach financial education, read books with them, engage in fun activities and much more. Wayne Galloway, retail market manager, and Ronald de Lama, community portfolio manager, serve on the board of directors for BGCA in Florida and South Carolina.
They recognize young people are future leaders of their communities and have witnessed firsthand the positive transformation that happens when children are introduced to new and important life lessons in a fun and engaging way.
BGCA’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need it most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Their mission aligns with the purpose of Synovus to enable people to reach their full potential.
Tavari Turner serves as the vice president of youth development programs and grants for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley of Columbus, Georgia. One of his primary responsibilities is to coordinate events between the nonprofit and bank team members. “For the 10 years that I’ve been with the Boys & Girls Clubs, Synovus team members have volunteered at the Club, participating in our events and inviting students to their offices, making it a multifaceted relationship,” he shares.
Turner has seen the children have “light bulb” moments from educational and fun experiences with volunteer interactions. They’ve learned about the banking industry, corporate jobs and the businesses in their communities from team members who have invested in their development.
Teens from the BGCA of Chattahoochee Valley spent a day in July 2023 learning the inner workings of the Synovus corporate communications team. They made fun videos, learned to write news releases and presented what they learned to the entire team.
“Synovus supports the BGCA of Chattahoochee Valley’s Money Matters financial literacy program. We also appreciate team members coming in and bringing more ears and eyes to the Club when the kids are hanging out,” Turner shares.
Galloway has worked at Synovus for 14 years. A fellow Kiwanis Club board member introduced him to BGCA in Kershaw County, South Carolina. On the BGCA board, he’s seen the organization’s value for communities.
“They are learning so much in preparation for college, their futures and gaining the tools to build a successful life.” -Ronald de Lama
“The Clubs offer an outlet for children to be themselves and gather within their age range,” he shares. “In this organization, no one gets left behind. And I would love to see the Clubs expand their reach with the programs they offer to benefit the community.”
Galloway has high expectations for the children and the lessons they’ve learned within the organization. “BGCA gives the kids a safe place to go after school, provides early education and helps them grow in many different ways,” he says.
Ronald de Lama serves on the Hernando County BGCA board and is proud of the Clubs’ work for children. "Volunteering for the organization has been an enriching experience and seeing the spark ignite in the eyes of the children encourages me to keep showing up,” he says.
Encouraging the children to dream big is a significant part of the Club’s work. In 2023, the Hernando County Club won a $70,000 Keystone Teen Club grant from Bridgestone to buy a new passenger van. Since the kids were the passengers, they could choose the van. They voted for a Mercedes Sprinter.
“They’re so proud of the van and all the other lessons they learn at the Clubs,” he says. “They are acquiring valuable skills to prepare them for college, their future careers and gaining the tools to build a successful life.”
Learn more about how Synovus is enabling people to reach their full potential.
