Raleigh, N.C. -
SECU is cashing in on the bluebird housing market, which has been literally soaring in sales since 2002, the CU said. The reason behind the credit union joining in on selling bluebird houses-so far it has sold 50,000-is to promote community improvement, said Toretta Snipes, SECU SVP.
"My family, friends and co-workers have delivered bluebird houses to branches all across our state for members who anxiously await the arrival," Snipes said.
It all began after Snipes met CU member Frank Newell, who is doing what he can to save the dwindling bluebird population, which is native to North Carolina. Newell founded the Eastern Bluebird Rescue Group, in Warrenton, N.C., in 1989, where he and his volunteers to build bluebird houses to replace the natural habitats destroyed by the depletion of trees and natural forests. Snipes saw the sale of bluebird houses as an opportunity for members to improve the state's natural environment.
Newell and his volunteers agreed to build bluebird houses specifically for distribution to all State Employees' CU's locations, which launched the credit union's Bluebird Project.
"It has been a privilege working with Frank Newell to coordinate this project for SECU," Snipes said. "I am inspired and amazed by Mr. Newell and his volunteers, as well as how our membership has embraced this project to create a better environment for these beautiful bluebirds."
At present, the credit union is selling bluebird houses at all 213 of its branches for $10 each, which is the cost to build each house. SECU originally set a goal of selling 25,000 bluebird houses, and since has doubled that number.
In addition to being successful in the area of sales, the Bluebird Project helped the credit union win special recognition by CUNA. The CU was awarded first place in the Dora Maxwell Award for Social Responsibility in the state, and then took home second place at the national level. "The project has and continues to be a win-win for our credit union, our state, our members, and especially the bluebirds," Snipes said. "I am known as the Bluebird Lady for the Credit Union and I wear that title with pride."
For info: www.ncsecu.org and www.easternbluebirdrescuegroup.org
