By: Lisa Patten

What do you get when you combine the Phoenix Rescue Mission, the Quicken Loans Web Center in Scottsdale, and some good, old-fashioned holiday optimism? You get many happy children in the city of Phoenix!

Enthusiastic Quicken Loans team members raised money by sponsoring a jeans day and purchased toys for the Rescue Mission’s “Toys for Tykes to Teens” drive.  After loading their cars with toys, 10 team members headed to the Phoenix Rescue Mission to spread some cheer.  While there, the team was able to learn about the programs that the Phoenix Rescue Mission supports, such as homeless emergency services and family and community outreach. 

With the toys and a monetary donation, close to $2000 was given to the cause.  The toys were dropped off in time to be distributed to the children who came to the Mission for a Christmas Eve meal.   According to Julie Noonan of Quicken Loans, “It was great to see how far our efforts went, and the difference it will make for a lot of kids. We look forward to more opportunities to contribute in the near future.”

By: Lisa Patten

The Cleveland Foodbank’s mission is to alleviate hunger by providing food and support to more than 450 community organizations that feed the hungry in Northeast Ohio.  The hungry include children, the working poor, the unemployed, the elderly, the homeless, and the chronically ill.  A team from the Quicken Loans Web Center recently volunteered their time to help sort and repack food donations, hoping to do a small part to assist in the Foodbank’s mission. Team members enjoyed the camaraderie, jokes, and team-building that this volunteer event provided, and look forward to returning in March.

By: Lisa Patten

The city of Detroit will be a little warmer this winter, thanks to many big-hearted Quicken Loans team members who helped to spread holiday spirit  by donating over 500 new coats.  When asked if they would consider purchasing a new coat for kids in need, team members from the Livonia, Farmington Hills, and Southfield offices gave generously. 

On December 17th, 250-300 new coats were delivered to both the Capuchin Soup Kitchen and the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation. Each organization stated that more families than ever are in need this year. Capuchin allowed families to come in and pick out donated coats at their  Meldrum location, which was set up much like a store would be.  The Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation will be giving the donated coats to the families they serve with their wide range of comprehensive, bilingual services.

According to Judith Wineman, Development Director at the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, “There are many, many people in Southwest Detroit who will have a happier and warmer holiday because of Quicken Loans.” 

We are continuously overwhelmed by the giving spirit among team members at Quicken Loans. What a great experience it was to pull up at both locations with a van packed to capacity with brand new coats.

Holiday spirit is in full force in the San Diego, California office of One Reverse Mortgage, a Quicken Loans sister company. One Reverse team members held a toy drive to support the Promises2Kids Give From Your Heart gift campaign. The gifts donated from this year’s gift drive will be distributed to more than 30 partner organizations, and ultimately to San Diego children in need that have been abused, abandoned and neglected. The One Reverse team was excited to be able help make the holidays brighter for children in need in their community.

By: Lisa Patten

Quicken Loans team members from the Cleveland Web Center were among the 500 attendees that helped to raise $108,000  at the Best Party of the Year, supporting the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland. 

"Our team members had a wonderful time and we were very excited to contribute to the Best Party of the Year and raise money to support those in need during the holiday season," said Jeff Perry, Vice President of the Cleveland Web Center.

Money raised from this event will provide over 400,000 meals to hungry Northeast Ohio children, seniors and families this winter. 

W Kemp

Team members from Quicken Loans and Fathead.com spent the morning with students from Cornerstone School. The day was filled with class projects, sharing, and of course smiles.

By: Jennifer Kulczycki

With inspiration from a popular holiday song, and sung by the City of Detroit, here’s a summary of Frosty Fest, Quicken Loans annual holiday party held for team members and their families last Sunday at our new headquarters site, Campus Martius urban park. 

On a chilly winter afternoon Quicken Loans brought to me:

• 4000 cookies
• 500 skaters
• 400 Claus pics
• Volunteers galore
• Piles of Shutterbooth photos
• Countless games of Wii Ski
• 6 cool crafts
• Toooooo many penguins to count
• 4 face painters (who painted hundreds of happy cheeks)
• 3 U.P. sled dogs
• 2 indoor icebergs
• And a real reindeer & his elf friend!

Check out what the Detroit Free Press had to say about Frosty Fest, and watch this video for an inside look at winter in the “D.”

By: Jennifer Kulczycki

Just as frosty December weather began to roll into Southeast Michigan, volunteers from Quicken Loans, InHouse Realty and Title Source generously gave of their time recently to help area residents stay in their warm homes this winter.  Volunteers handled guest registration, provided directional guidance and conducted exit surveys for the nearly 950 families who attended the HOPE NOW Foreclosure Prevention Workshop at Cobo Center in downtown Detroit on Saturday, December 5. 

HOPE NOW is a partnership between lenders and non-profit housing counselors whose mission is to assist homeowners who are having  difficulty paying their mortgages.  The alliance worked locally with the Detroit Office of Foreclosure Prevention & Response and NeighborWorks America, an organization that creates opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives and strengthen their communities.

InHouse Realty volunteer Stefanie S., who conducted exit surveys at the free event, said that some attendees were physically moved by the assistance that they received.  “I witnessed tears from homeowners who told me about lenders that were able to modify their home mortgage by significantly decreasing their payments.” 

By: Lisa Patten

When given the opportunity to invest in the community, the Quicken Loans Cleveland office jumped right in.  On December 3rd, 14 team members prepared and served 80 guests dinner at the Pearl Road United Methodist Church.  Enthusiastic team members felt they made a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. The Cleveland Community DIFF Makers can’t wait to be a part of future events.   According to Cleveland team member Jennifer Dyke, “It was truly a moving experience to be a part of.” 

Way to go Cleveland Office!!!

By: Lisa Patten

The Ronald McDonald House of Detroit offers a home-away-from home and support services to parents with hospitalized children.  On December 5, 16 members of the Quicken Loans Mortgage Technology Services Team helped to prepare and serve a gourmet meal to families staying at the house, offering them a brief moment of comfort and support.

This 16,000 square foot house has 25 bedrooms, 17 bathrooms and offers a safe, secure and affordable haven for more than 1,000 families per year.  Having family members close by often proves to be the best medicine for a seriously ill child.

Quicken Loans took the opportunity to go all out for this event.  This team held several meetings to work out all of the details, and arrived several hours early to prepare dinner. The menu consisted of London broil, smothered chicken, rice pilaf, vegetables, salad, mac-and-cheese, cake and brownies. There was even a cookie decorating station for the kids.

By the end of dinner, there were many grateful faces and thank-you’s from the families. The willingness to give of their time and talent are just one of the reasons that Quicken Loans is a great place to work!