Security First Insurance Interns Cultivate Community Impact Through Partnership with Florida Giving Gardens

Fifteen paid college interns representing universities across Florida, Georgia, New York, and North Carolina, spent their summer at Security First Insurance doing more than gaining professional experience—they helped grow a stronger community.

As part of the company’s annual paid college internship program, the Security First Class of 2026 planned and led a company-wide service project benefiting Florida Giving Gardens, a Daytona State College student-led nonprofit whose mission is to ensure access to healthy, fresh food for neighbors in need throughout Volusia County.

The interns organized a friendly competition among the company’s four office floors, encouraging employees to donate supplies that will help local community gardens flourish. Employees contributed 433 donated items with an estimated value of $2,270, including 320 packs of seeds, 400 quarts of potting soil, and two raised garden beds that will become part of Florida Giving Gardens’ ongoing renovation of its community garden at the Port Orange Recreation Center.

The donated supplies will also support gardens located at First Step Shelter, Hope Place Family Shelter, and the Domestic Abuse Council. Together, the four gardens provide fresh produce to an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people each year, helping address food insecurity through sustainable, community-powered gardening.

“One of the most valuable lessons we can teach future leaders is that success isn’t measured only by what you achieve professionally. It’s also about the impact you have on your community,” said Melissa Burt DeVriese, President of Security First Insurance. “Our interns chose a cause that addresses a real need close to home, then inspired hundreds of employees to help make a difference. That’s leadership in action, and it’s exactly the kind of experience we want every intern to take with them.”

The annual capstone project challenges interns to identify a community need, collaborate on a solution, and lead a company-wide initiative from concept to completion while reinforcing Security First’s commitment to serving the communities where its customers and employees live and work. Through the experience, interns gain firsthand experience organizing projects, engaging stakeholders, and seeing how teamwork can create a positive difference in the community.

“Our college internship program is about more than preparing students for their careers,” DeVriese added. “It’s about giving them opportunities to solve problems, work as a team, and see firsthand how a group of committed people can create lasting change.”

To learn more about Security First Insurance’s commitment to strengthening the communities it serves, visit SecurityFirstFlorida.com/about-us/community-involvement/.

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