Navient employees deliver the gift of joy to Delaware children in need

WILMINGTON, Del., Dec. 14, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Navient employees contributed more than $18,000 in  gifts to help provide a happy holiday for 67 area children in need. The Think of the Child First program is a partnership between Navient and the Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health with the state of Delaware.

For the seventh year in a row, Navient, the nation's leading loan management, servicing and asset recovery company, supplied boxes filled with dolls, video games, bikes, tubes of wrapping paper and other presents today during a giving celebration. The gifts were given to the parents of children in need to fulfill their holiday wish list.

"Through the generosity of the folks at Navient, so many of our children will have a wonderful Christmas, many of whom might not otherwise have anything underneath their tree," said Kelly Dobrowolski, treatment team leader, Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health. "Every year, the Think of the Child First program brings about the Christmas spirit and restores our faith that there are good people out there who will go out of their way to bring holiday cheer to many deserving girls and boys.  We are so grateful for this partnership with Navient." 

The effort was funded primarily by employee contributions from Navient's Jeans BeCause Program. The program offers participating employees a "pass" to dress casually on certain days for their volunteer donations. It is one of several workplace events and fundraising activities planned by an employee-led committee to support local charities in the area. Social workers collected wish lists from the families, and Navient employees "adopted" children to provide them with their favorite holiday toys.

"For many, December is a time to give back and extend a helping hand to those in need," said Sheila Ryan-Macie, senior vice president, Navient. "We are delighted to once again have the opportunity to collaborate with the state of Delaware to help add joy to the children's holiday season."

The Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services provides a statewide continuum of prevention services, early intervention services, and mental health and substance abuse treatment programs for children and youth.

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About Navient

As the nation's leading loan management, servicing and asset recovery company, Navient (Nasdaq:NAVI) helps customers navigate the path to financial success. Servicing more than $300 billion in student loans, the company supports the educational and economic achievements of more than 12 million Americans. A growing number of public and private sector clients rely on Navient for proven solutions to meet their financial goals. Learn more at navient.com.

Nick LaMastra, 302-283-2964, nicholas.lamastra@navient.com