Navient employees support 58 Delaware-area children this holiday season

WILMINGTON, Del., Dec. 22, 2017 -- Fifty-eight Delaware children from 21 families are receiving warm coats, art supplies, huggable teddy bears, doll houses, Lego sets and many other items on their wish lists, thanks to a Navient philanthropy program.

Navient employees raised funds during the year to support a joyful holiday season for many of the neediest families served by Delaware’s Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families. Social workers collected a list of needs from the families, and Navient employees volunteered to fulfill their wish lists.

Navient’s “Think of a Child” program started in 2009 when employee Judi Beamer witnessed the joy of helping an area family and passed on the idea to her new coworkers at Navient.

In its eight years, the program has grown to include fundraisers such as silent auctions and the company’s Jeans BeCause program, which gives participating employees a “pass” to dress casually for the month in exchange for volunteer donations. Another popular fundraiser was the dunk tank at this year’s company picnic. The year-long effort culminates in a gift presentation to parents and caregivers identified by state social workers as needing support. In addition to gifts for the children, families receive gift certificates and grocery cards. This year’s program raised $22,000 for local families.

“I am so thankful that the Lord puts in the hearts of perfect strangers the idea of giving so I can have the extra help to provide a Christmas for my family,” said Crystal, one mom served by the program who attended the gift presentation ceremony at Navient’s Newark office last week.

Delaware’s Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families supports the needs of area families dealing with financial problems, medical issues, substance abuse and other challenges year-round. To learn more about services available to Delaware families in need, visit kids.delaware.gov.

About Navient
Navient (Nasdaq:NAVI) is a leading provider of asset management and business processing solutions for education, healthcare, and government clients at the federal, state, and local levels. The company helps its clients and millions of Americans achieve financial success through services and support. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, Navient employs team members in western New York, northeastern Pennsylvania, Indiana, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and other locations. Learn more at navient.com.

Contact: Patricia Nash Christel, 302-283-4076, [email protected]

NAVICP