COLUMBUS – It’s not an official holiday but May 3 was a cause for celebration for 89 moms and dads in central Ohio when Fifth Third Bank celebrated its namesake day Friday by giving the families of babies born in more than a dozen central Ohio hospitals money for college.
The families of babies born at 14 hospitals each received a form to fill out so they could claim a $1,053 Leaf gift card, which allows them to open a 529 college savings account, Francie Henry, the regional president of the Cincinnati-based bank, said.
A 529 savings account is a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to encourage saving for college costs.
The bank donated gift boxes that included the form, an abacus, a piggy bank, a onesie, a Dr. Seuss book, a stuffed animal, a family pass from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and a gift card to Kroger.
The hospitals were located in Franklin, Delaware, Pickaway, Richland, Marion, and Crawford counties, Henry said.