Discover Financial Services : More than 600 Discover Volunteers Partner with Chicago Cares to Support Wheeling Schools

Discover's Business Technology Department Gives Tarkington and Twain Elementary Schools Indoor and Outdoor Makeovers

Riverwoods, IL June 6, 2017 - Discover's Business Technology (BT) Department teamed up with Chicago Cares and brought more than 600 volunteers to Tarkington and Twain Elementary Schools in Wheeling, Ill. today to enhance the educational environments of the schools before students return in August.

Discover volunteers completed indoor and outdoor renovations at each location, including landscaping, painting murals, creating an outdoor classroom, and building bookcases and planter boxes, among other projects to support the schools. It was the single largest company volunteer event Chicago Cares has hosted and the largest volunteer event in Discover's history as an independent company.

'We are very fortunate to have such supportive business partners within our community that put our students first. We were thrilled to welcome a record-setting number of Discover volunteers to Tarkington and Twain, and truly appreciate the time and energy they dedicated to providing a beautiful learning environment for our students,' said Dr. Kate Hyland, CCSD21 Superintendent.

'Giving back to our communities is embedded in our values and culture at Discover and gives employees the opportunity to get to know their colleagues outside the workplace while doing service in our communities,' said Matthew Towson, director of Community Affairs at Discover. 'Our work today hopefully makes a meaningful difference in the lives of Wheeling students, giving them more of the tools and resources they need to achieve brighter futures.'

The volunteer event was part of the Discover Cares program, a company-wide initiative to improve communities by volunteering and supporting non-profit organizations. Each year, nearly 70 percent of Discover's Riverwoods workforce participates in various community service projects throughout the year. This is the second consecutive year Discover's BT Department has partnered with Wheeling Schools to renovate their schools' facilities.

Discover also has a relationship with Wheeling schools through Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago. Several Discover volunteers mentor students from Walt Whitman and Mark Twain Elementary Schools.

About Discover

Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers private student loans, personal loans, home equity loans, checking and savings accounts and certificates of deposit through its direct banking business. It operates the Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company.

About Chicago Cares

Founded in 1991 by Leslie Bluhm and Mary Prchal, Chicago Cares is a nonprofit organization that has mobilized more than 450,000 volunteers to meet Chicago's most challenging needs. As the leading service organization in the city, Chicago Cares creates programs that foster civic engagement by educating and empowering volunteers to be agents of change. With 250 monthly group service projects, corporate programs and annual events, our model connects needs with action. www.chicagocares.org.

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Contact:
Discover Financial Services
Matthew Towson
224-405-5649
matthewtowson@discover.com
@Discover_News