SUNTRUST SHINES BRIGHT
Everyone was clearly in high spirits, beaming with much pride and happiness. And they have every reason to be so. After all, this year’s celebration of Suntrust Properties’ 22nd anniversary had many of its employees bringing sheer joy and inspiration to a number of individuals who are in dire need of attention and care.
As Suntrust Properties Inc. president Harry Paltongan himself said, this year’s anniversary celebration was made even more meaningful as the Suntrustees went all out to ensure that the company will continue to shine in ways that they were expected to do so.
Going beyond the business of just selling and providing homes for every Filipino, the Suntrustees pulled out all stops to bring stories of joy and inspiration to neglected and abandoned individuals who, for a day, felt what it’s like to be cared for.
Inspiring others
“What you did was not for me or for Suntrust, but really more for yourselves. I know that in your heart, up to now, you still remember all that you’ve done and the smiles that you brought to the faces of these people,” Paltongan told Suntrustees during the anniversary celebration held earlier this month.
“I know you’ll remember for a long, long time the faces of these individuals that you’ve managed to inspire. Through our activity, you were able to realize that you are not just employees or sales people. Rather, what you have in your hands is the power and ability to make people smile and laugh. You have in your own way managed to inspire people and make them feel that they are cared for,” he further said.
On its 22nd year, Suntrust has managed to shine and bring a ray of hope to many individuals whose lives were marred by stories of abandonment, sickness and abuse. The Suntrustees formed different groups and were made to choose an organization that they would visit and spend time with. But what made it even more meaningful was the creativity of the Suntrustees, who went all out to make sure that every activity was special. Most of the Suntrustees conducted activities that helped them raise funds and gather items that they could donate to their chosen organization.
“We spent this year’s celebration by reaching out. We divided our employees, sales and volunteer contractors into eight rays (from our sun logo). Each group initiated various outreach projects for the abused and abandoned children, for cancer patients—for cleft lip operations, provision of school supplies and scholarships, environment clean-up drives and donations of fishing boats, visits and donations to the elderly, donations for and the renovation of Bahay Pag-asa (for juvenile delinquents), rice in exchange for plastic and wastes, legal, medical, and dental missions, job fairs and employment, among others,” Paltongan shared.
According to Paltongan, the challenge for each group was how to be creative and resourceful in raising funds. Suntrustees came up with various ways—from something as simple as cooking kakanin for breaks, selling used wares, to seeking for solicitations. No fund, he added, came from the company as the idea was for each one of them to be involved in all aspects of the activities.
Making a difference
Indeed, this recent activity was a showcase of true camaraderie, genuine selflessness, and the desire to make a difference in the life of others—traits that many of Suntrust Properties’ employees have taken to heart as seen in the many activities that the company regularly holds, and in the way it continues to build its communities.
This is what sets Suntrust Properties apart from the rest, for it doesn’t only build homes. It more importantly transforms lives, as it reaches out to individuals with a desire to inspire and provide better, brighter future.
“Many of those we visited were abandoned or abused. And for a while, at that point in their lives, they thought perhaps that it was already the end. But you were there to tell them that there is still life and that was an encouragement that they truly needed. I want to recognize and congratulate the groups again. I know you enjoyed that experience and did what you came to do,” Paltongan told the Suntrustees.
“These people (whom) we visited only aspire for simple things, but we gave them more because we’ve managed to inspire them and make them laugh and feel cared for. Each of you, Suntrustees, have managed to donate money, goods and time—from Christmas decorations to hospital operations, toy donations, and visits to abused children. These things brought genuine happiness to these people and made them feel truly special,” Paltongan further noted.
Fulfilling a promise
As Suntrust celebrates its 22nd year of providing quality homes for every Filipino, the company believes that much can still be done. Hence, the company remains bullish and committed in fulfilling its promise to every hardworking individual to create safe and sustainable communities where they can thrive and realize their dreams.
“We are still far from being that ‘home for every Filipino’. But it remains to be our inspiring vision to contribute to the industry in finding solutions to the accumulating shortage of homes. So we are doing our best to expand not just in the number of projects but in locating in various regions,” Paltongan said.
Suntrust Properties may have already built more than 7,000 houses in various subdivisions, and more than 5,000 condominium units with another 5,000 in the process of completion, while some 25,000 units have already been completed by Stateland Inc., which is now a wholly owned Suntrust company. Paltongan, however, believes that much can still be done.
“We now see huge communities living in these developments. As we grow our list of homeowners, we are saddled with more responsibilities. Our expansions, it seems, were a bit faster than what we imagined. So we are doing our best to cope,” Paltongan explained.
“Suntrust will continue to shine for its people and its clients. But more than that, Suntrust shines also for the underprivileged, those who are in the shadows so that they, too, may be brightened by some rays of hope,” Paltongan concluded.
You have in your own way managed to inspire people and make them feel that they are cared for