Kids Turned Into 'Millionaires For A Day'

Two credit unions helped mark National Credit Union Youth Week by turning some of their young members into millionaires-for a day.

Credit Union of Johnson County here greeted its new millionaire-12-year-old Tyler Kesterson of Gardner, Kan.-at the credit union's main office to present him a one-day share certificate of deposit for $1 million. The interest accrued from the million-dollar CD (about $100) was deposited into his $olid $aver account at the credit union.

In addition, the young millionaire was the honored guest at a private reception with credit union dignitaries and U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS), and was presented a "Key to the City of Lenexa" by Mayor Michael Boehm. Another surprise: a red-carpet walk to a limousine ride and private lunch with his parents and Credit Union of Johnson County CEO John Beverlin.

Following lunch, the limousine returned Tyler to his school, where 60 sixth-grade classmates greeted him curbside as the school's millionaire student.

The credit union said it patterned its program after a program conducted by CP Federal Credit Union in Jackson, Mich.

Meanwhile, in Fairlawn, Ohio, Towpath Credit Union gave $1 million for a day to one lucky young member. This year's winner was Sara Carter, a 12-year old student at Forest Hill Elementary School.

Sara, who was born in Calcutta, India and adopted and brought to the U.S. at age 7 by her mother, Sandra Carter. In an odd coincidence, Carter used a loan from Towpath Credit Union to cover the adoption fees.

One of the first places she took Sara was the credit union, where "she was greeted with a bouquet of balloons just like she was handed when she won the contest and more suckers than she had ever seen."

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