Helping pay for college: Credit unions in the community
December 3, 2018 5:19 PM
Educational pursuits
South Jersey FCU, Deptford, N.J., awarded several college-bound students scholarships totaling $4,500. To be eligible to receive a scholarship, the student or their parent was required to be a member of the credit union. Separately, WAT, a division of South Jersey CU, relocated its branch in Williamsport, Pa., to Loyal Plaza on East 3rd Street.
Adopt-A-Classroom
Sioux Falls FCU, Sioux Falls, S.D., continued its Adopt-A-Classroom grant program by issuing $500 grants to six local teachers. The CU has been helping to offset school costs since 2009. Separately, the CU awarded $1,000 scholarships to two local students.
New beginnings
Portland, Ore.-based Unitus Community CU opened a new branch in the city’s Westmoreland neighborhood. It is the CU’s 11th branch, serving members throughout Portland Metro, Salem and Southwest Washington.
Baby shower
People Driven CU, Southfield, Mich., partnered with Sara’s House for its annual community baby shower to assist homeless and low-income teens and women. PDCU staff collected donations of gifts and cash, bringing in $100 and three gift cards, plus diapers, wipes, bottles, lotions, burping cloths, blankets, pacifiers and baby outfits, and numerous toiletry items.
A night at the museum
Peach State FCU, Lawrenceville, Ga., made a $5,000 donation to the Currahee Military Museum, an addition to the Stephens County History Museum in Toccoa. The museum will receive $1,000 per year from the credit union beginning this year through 2022.
Keep shredding
Hopewell FCU, Heath, Ohio, presented a paper shredder valued at more than $300 to The Woodlands, a private, non-profit organization that provides comprehensive prevention, education, and treatment services to residents of Licking County and surrounding counties.
Repping women
Employees of Align CU, Lowell, Mass., supported Habitat for Humanity’s 11th annual National Women Build Week.
Hit the books
Quincy CU, Quincy, Mass., awarded QCU scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each to four local student members to cover secondary education expenses.
Highest honors
San Diego-based Mission FCU received two awards at the Honoring Our Own Awards: the San Diego County School Boards Association’s DeDe Alpert Award, nominated by Lemon Grove Unified; and the ACSA Region 18 Partners in Educational Excellence Award, nominated by the Poway Unified School District.
Hanscom honors JROTC cadets
Hanscom FCU, Hanscom AFB, Mass., presented awards to two Lowell High School JROTC students. JROTC Cadet Sarah Boutselis (pictured) received the 2018 Hanscom Federal Credit Union Honor Guard Award, which includes a $500 scholarship, while the Paul J. Marotta “Reach for the Stars” Award went to Cadet Pechthida Kim, a Lowell High School senior. Separately, the CU was named presenting sponsor of the sixth annual Mission: Gratitude gala, which benefits military families. The Hanscom FCU Charitable Foundation donated $125,000.
Recognizing service
Freedom FCU, Bel Air, Md., donated $25,000 to Harford County Public Schools in support of HCPS’s annual Employee Service Recognition Program. This program recognized 494 employees who have reached 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 years of service. Since 2013, Freedom has sponsored the HCPS Service Award Recognition Program.
Great savings
Firefly CU, Burnsville, Minn., awarded a total of $13,000 in scholarships during the 2017-18 academic year, including four students being awarded $1,000 scholarships as part of the credit union’s fourth annual Great Savings Challenge.
Backpacks for all
Gerber FCU, Fremont, Mich., purchased backpacks filled with supplies from Yoobi for donation to local schools. For every supply Gerber FCU purchased, Yoobi donated an equal number of items to high-need elementary schools across the U.S. In all, Gerber distributed 100 backpacks.
Gift giving
Altura CU, Riverside, Calif., donated $5,000 to the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center. The gift fulfilled a promise made during Altura’s annual spring auto loan promotion and car sale to donate $25 for each loan to the center.
Continuing scholarship
Elko FCU, Elko, Nev., awarded two Spring Creek High School 2018 graduates with a $1,000 scholarship each to put toward continuing their education.
