ATLANTA, April 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- National Volunteer Week is a time to thank one of America's most valuable assets – volunteers – and call the public's attention to the many ways these volunteers improve our communities. In 2009 and 2010 Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta's (FHLBank Atlanta) 400 employees devoted more than 10,000 hours to volunteering with more than 150 organizations.

FHLBank Atlanta's commitment to service is reflected in the 24 hours of paid time off every year that each employee is given to participate in community service activities. Many FHLBank Atlanta employees serve on nonprofit boards of directors and in leadership positions for organizations as diverse as the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra and the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association of Georgia.  

In 2010 FHLBank Atlanta received Partner of the Year Awards from the Midtown Assistance Center in Atlanta and the Atlanta Community Tool Bank in recognition of the hours of service Bank employees donated.

"These awards are a reflection of the dedication of our employees, and I am humbled to work with a group of people who are so passionate about serving their communities and proud to be a part of an organization that includes volunteerism in its core values," said President and Chief Executive Officer W. Wesley McMullan.  

To further energize its employees and encourage continued dedication to volunteerism, FHLBank Atlanta has planned a week of activities to thank and recognize those employees who participate in the Bank's Community Involvement Program. National Volunteer Week events at FHLBank Atlanta include the following:

• Volunteer Recognition Celebration
• YWCA of Greater Atlanta Academy Reception
• Community Partner Volunteer Fair
• Partnership Against Domestic Violence Wish List Donation Drive
• EarthShare of Georgia Corporate Green Day Challenge

FHLBank Atlanta assists nonprofit organizations within its district through donations of time, money, and in-kind assistance. Through the Bank's charitable organization, Once for All, Inc., which pools employee and corporate contributions, FHLBank Atlanta has given over $10 million since the Community Involvement Program was started in 1997. The Bank's in-house print shop provided services valued at more than $500,000 to local nonprofits in 2010.  

About FHLBank Atlanta

FHLBank Atlanta offers competitively-priced financing, community development grants, and other banking services to help member financial institutions make affordable home mortgages and provide economic development credit to neighborhoods and communities. The Bank's members—its shareholders and customers—are commercial banks, credit unions, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. FHLBank Atlanta is one of 12 district banks in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, which since 1990 has contributed more than $4 billion to the Affordable Housing Program.

SOURCE Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta