Fifth Third Bank, National Association, surprised 94 newborns and their families for being born on a special day: 5/3. Babies born across 17 hospitals in the Charlotte and Louisville areas on “Fifth Third Day” received a $1,053 Gift of College® gift card to be used toward a 529 college savings account.
“One of the greatest gifts is knowledge and we hope these contributions toward a college savings account will make a difference in the lives of babies born on Fifth Third Day,” said Lee Fite, regional president of the Carolinas for Fifth Third Bank. “We are proud to celebrate North Carolina Fifth Third Babies and hope this small gesture will kickstart a lifetime of learning and wonderment.”
The new parents also received care packages with a DoorDash gift card, and gifts for the baby including a onesie, milestone blanket and diapers. The 44 Louisville newborns also received a horse stuffed animal, since it is Derby Week. And 50 Charlotte newborns also received a matchbox version of the NASCAR No. 17 Fifth Third Bank Ford Mustang.
“It was an honor to welcome the newest members of our community on a day that is near and dear to Fifth Third,” said Kim Halbauer, regional president of Kentucky for Fifth Third Bank. “Finding ways to strengthen families and communities is core to what we do, and I can’t think of a better way to support parents and children than helping them start saving for a college education.”
Between Fifth Third Days in 2017 and 2022, the Bank has gifted 399 babies with $1,053 to go toward a 529 college savings account, in partnership with Gift of College. The Bank has hosted Fifth Third Day Babies in Cincinnati, Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, Grand Rapids, Mich., and Indianapolis. This year brought that total to 493.
“This means everything. To have a baby is a blessing but being able to start his future is definitely a blessing, too,” said Todd Wingate, father to Fifth Third Baby, Tee Wingate, who was born at Baptist Health Louisville. Tee’s parents are the recipient of one of the $1,053 Gift of College gift cards.
Tee’s mother Katia Colin added: “It is very exciting. It doesn’t seem real!”
Mother to Fifth Third Baby Prestyn, Danielle “DJ” Johnson had similar sentiments to the gifts and head start for college savings.
“We were so shocked and thrilled,” she said. “To get all of those gifts, we were just so elated.”
Baby Prestyn was born at Atrium Health Cabarrus in Concord, North Carolina.