New books, new bikes and new branches: Credit unions in the community
October 12, 2018 3:41 PM
Enjoying a good book
John Buckley, president/CEO of Gerber FCU, Fremont, Mich., read the book The Penny Pot by Stuart J. Murphy to second grade students at local schools. Following the book read, Buckley discussed good money management and presented each student, their teacher and their school library with a copy of the book. Gerber FCU donated a total of 685 books across nine school districts.
Let's read
Hanscom FCU, Hanscom AFB, Mass., collected and contributed 1,929 books for the children’s book drive sponsored by the Cooperative CU Association. The books were distributed across the commonwealth. Separately, the CU awarded $1,500 scholarships to 7 high school students, and at its 64th annual meeting the CU said it generated a total of $295,000 in gifts to local nonprofits.
13 kids win some new bikes
Blue FCU, Cheyenne, Wyo., held a drawing that ended with 13 children riding brand new bikes. Blue got its youngest and future members pedaling toward long-term financial health by educating families on how Blue’s early savers products can help them start saving for the future.
CRCU expands
Community Resource CU conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for its future corporate headquarters building. The development project is located on seven acres near the intersection of Rollingbrook Drive and Emmett Hutto Boulevard in Baytown, Texas.
Doggie Dash at the Spring Fling
American Heritage CU held its inaugural Spring Fling Doggie Dash at its headquarters in Philadelphia to support Emancipet and the Kids-N-Hope Foundation. Separately, AHCU celebrated the grand opening of its new branch inside Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Building homes
Austin-based Greater Texas CU partnered with Habitat for Humanity for a “Net Zero” build as part of the CU’s Greater Good Volunteer initiative. Some 25 employees installed siding, caulked and spackled, and more to make the house so well insulated all the electricity required by its tenants can be supplied by the solar panels that will sit on its specially designed roof.
Financial literacy drive sweeps $1k
First Financial FCU, Lutherville, Md., collected 403 donations for a total of $1,115.42 to support the Credit Union Foundation of MD|DC’s financial literacy drive. The drive funds grants for CUs to offer members financial education and counseling, college and trade school scholarships, Millionaire’s Club high school programs, and more.
Putting for Promises
Chartway FCU, Virginia Beach, Va., held its third annual Putting for Promises Golf Tournament in Lehi, Utah. The event raised more than $53,000 to make dreams and wishes come to life for children in Utah communities who are facing medical hardship or illness.
Robin Sommer/MidAtlantic Photographic LLC
A new branch
Edgewood, Md.-based Aberdeen Proving Ground FCU welcomed local dignitaries and special guests to the official ribbon-cutting ceremony of its 12th branch, serving the Riverside/Belcamp community in Harford County, Md.
Recognizing young talent
Finger Lakes FCU, Geneva, N.Y., awarded scholarships to three local high school seniors. Benjamin McDonald (pictured) received the $1,000 Gene McFadden Scholarship, Megan Griffin the $750 Laurie A. Monahan Memorial Scholarship, and Anthony Marcuccilli $500 FLFCU Scholarship.
Aldi freebies
The branches of Great Lakes CU, Bannockburn, Ill., have been surprising unsuspecting members of the community with more than 1,640 Random Acts of Kindness so far this year. Most recently, Naperville Branch Manager Nikki Appleyard handed out ten $25 Aldi gift cards to people entering and leaving the store.
Gone golfing
Keesler FCU, Biloxi, Miss., sponsored the seventh annual Eagles Under the Oaks golf tournament, raising more than $30,000 for Combat Wounded Veterans of South Mississippi.
New and improved
Bettendorf, Iowa-based Ascentra CU celebrated the remodel of its branch in Davenport, Iowa, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Over six months, enhancements were made to create additional office space for member privacy, a larger and more open floor plan, a restroom on the first floor, a new drive-up ATM, and overall ambiance consistent with other Ascentra facilities.
Turning 80
Advance Financial FCU, Schererville, Ind., held its 80th annual meeting in the company of more than 100 of its members. John McKenzie, president of the Indiana CU League, sent a letter congratulating the credit union on its 80th anniversary.
$190k+ raised for children hospitals
A series of charitable events played a part in the THINK 18 conference. At the conclusion of the event, CO-OP Financial Services said a total of $191,500 was raised, $186,500 of which was donated to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and the remaining $5,000 to the National Credit Union Foundation.
MSUFCU hosts art exhibit
Michigan State University FCU, East Lansing, Mich., partnered with the Peckham Community Partnership Foundation to host the 2018 Art from the Heart exhibit, which provides professional, individualized instruction in the visual arts to artists with significant disabilities and other barriers to employment.
Ent opens new 5,000 SQFT facility
Ent CU opened its latest freestanding service center in its headquarters city of Colorado Springs, Colo., in the Powers Auto Park near the intersection of Woodmen Road and Powers Boulevard. The 5,000-square-foot facility incorporates state-of the-art technology.
Helping kids fight cancer
Employees from Dover FCU, Dover, Del., donated more than $4,600 to the B+ Foundation, in honor of the 46 kids diagnosed with cancer every day. The B+ Foundation is about kids helping kids fight cancer, providing financial and emotional support to families of children with cancer and funding critical, cutting-edge childhood cancer research.
Walk for Warmth
Genisys CU, Auburn Hills, Mich., gave $36,000 to The Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency for its Walk for Warmth campaign, which helps people who experience utility emergencies throughout the year. The money was raised by Genisys members and staff through several fundraising activities.
Moving time
To provide its members with an upgraded experience, Riverdale, Utah-based America First CU moved its Olympus Hills Dan’s branch to the Holladay Fresh Market in Holladay, Utah.
eCO partners with local CBS station
eCO Credit Union, Birmingham, Ala., partnered with CBS 42 to offer the Sixth Edition of the eCO Savings Race, which helped families and individuals improve their finances. The winning team took home a $10,000 grand prize, while each finalist received $2,000.
First branch opening
Massillon, Ohio-based Friends and Family CU opened its first branch in Canton, Ohio, in the Acme Freshmarket. An all-day grand opening celebration included a ribbon-cutting, snacks, refreshments, registration for prizes and a live radio broadcast.
$760k+ raised in LIVE UNITED celebration
Bethpage FCU, Bethpage, N.Y., hosted the United Way of Long Island’s annual LIVE UNITED Celebration Luncheon at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. The fundraising event raised $764,000 for United Way and its community impact partners.
School Crashers has some winners
Georgia United CU, Duluth, Ga., announced the winners of its fifth annual School Crashers program. Eight schools across the state will receive facility improvements over the summer. The grand prize was awarded to Rock Chapel Elementary School, which will receive multiple improvements to the learning environment.
Points for Pediatrics
Clearview FCU, Moon Township, Pa., donated $9,960 to JDRF of Western Pennsylvania as part of a Points for Pediatrics program with the University of Pittsburgh. Clearview pledged to donate $40 for each 3-point basket made by the Pitt men’s basketball team during the 2017-2018 regular season games: 249 three-point baskets = a $9,960 donation.
Some new numbers
The Credit Union Association of the Dakotas announced CU Social Good numbers for 2017: 335 credit unions participated, generating more than $11.3 million worth of benefits to communities, including $7.7 million cash donated, $1.4 million in scholarships and $1.6 million in donations to CU4Kids/Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
