Pay It Forward - Care That Never Stops

“I feel like I’m fortunate enough that I can help out.”
– Naveen Vadhwa, Bell Bank Employee

Bell Employee

Naveen Vadhwa

Ahwatukee, Ariz.

Recipients

Carol, a client

The Need

Naveen Vadhwa, a senior mortgage loan officer, has been with Bell since 2019. Whether he’s working in the midst of a crazy real estate market, or one that’s slower than normal, Naveen has always remained aware of the needs of people around him – a quality that has helped him use his Pay It Forward gifts in special ways.

Carol had been a client of Naveen’s since 2009 – and in 2021, both Naveen and his wife, Vani, a realtor, helped Carol sell her existing home and purchase a new one. In the spring of 2023, Naveen’s wife was scrolling through social media when she saw that Carol’s husband, Tom, had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. Tom passed away on May 31.

As soon as Naveen heard the news, he called Carol and left her a message – then requested a Pay It Forward check to help Carol, who was in Tom’s home state of Minnesota for the funeral. After a few weeks, Naveen and Vani visited Carol’s home, giving her some additional funds they thought would help.

The Impact

“She was surprised,” says Naveen. “I think maybe she was expecting a couple hundred dollars, and we gave her $1,500.”

The funds were a big help, especially since Carol had taken time off from work to deal with everything that was going on.

Several months later, Naveen and his wife attended a celebration of life for Tom held in Arizona.

“It was definitely emotional,” Naveen recalls. “Carol was very happy that we were able to help, because they obviously had a lot of medical bills on the way.”

Community Scholarships

Naveen has seen Pay It Forward’s impact not only in helping families through difficult times, but also through the joy of new beginnings. In his work as volunteer Ambassador and board member for the Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce, he’s had the opportunity to choose scholarship recipients – again funded with his Pay It Forward dollars.

“I really enjoy giving out the money and meeting the scholarship recipients,” comments Naveen, who gave scholarships in 2020 and 2022 – each time providing several students with varying amounts, up to $1,000. He adds that Bell’s Pay It Forward program is a great benefit, taking the company’s success and passing it along to others.

“I just feel great that I can help just anybody in general that needs it,” Naveen says. “And I feel like I'm fortunate enough where I can help out.”

Through the Pay It Forward program, Bell gives employees money each year to donate to people in need and causes they care about.