The holidays are a time of celebration, joy and excitement for most of us. We attend parties, see family we haven’t in a while, eat loads of food and usually enjoy some time off. But at United Way we recognize the holidays can be a really stressful time for families that are struggling to make ends meet. United Way agencies that provide food, shelter, mental health counseling and wraparound services can be a lifeline to our neighbors during this time. That’s why we are so thankful for our corporate partners like PRA Group whose support allows us to be there year-round but particularly in this season of need.

Over the past few months, PRA Group encouraged its employees to pledge donations to help provide such support and enact positive change in the local communities in which they work and live. Through this annual workplace campaign, the company and nearly 400 of its employees pledged over $350,000 to United Way and our partners in 2023. We truly cannot thank our friends at PRA Group enough for their generosity and support!

We asked a few PRA Group employees why they chose to give, and this is what they shared:

“United Way has the infrastructure to reach a wide variety of individuals, and their network allows them to make a much bigger impact than I would without them. As a wife of a retired Marine, I am especially interested in my donations going to organizations that support the military community, and United Way makes that easy for me to do with the variety of nonprofits that they support. I think we all have a role to play in giving back to our respective communities. For some that could be the gift of their time and for others it’s the gift of money, but when you combine those two gifts, that’s where the magic happens and I’m happy to be a part of it.” – Treena Lauer, global operations controller

“I would like to think that many of the community organizations under United Way have benefited me in my youth. I consider myself a product of the Boys & Girls Club of America and YMCA. Those organizations were there for me after school while growing and learning. Just knowing that I can provide support through donations, volunteering, and/or mentorship for future boys and girls is near and dear to me.” – Dennis Lites, assistant vice president of data science

As a “thank you” for their contributions, employees were invited to wear holiday sweaters to celebrate the campaign’s overwhelming success and record-breaking participation. But the holiday cheer didn’t stop there! PRA Group also hosted two wrapping parties for our Holiday Extravaganza to wrap presents for families from United Way’s programs who needed a little extra support this season.

And the caring power of PRA Group goes far beyond United Way. Throughout nearly 27 years in business, PRA Group has supported more than 100 charitable organizations around the globe through financial contributions and volunteerism. They foster an environment where employees are committed to caring for and making an impact on communities worldwide. To learn more about their philanthropic work, click here.

This holiday season, we say a BIG thank you to PRA Group and all of our corporate partners making the season brighter through their giving, volunteering and leadership!