'Backpack Bundle' is back for more: Credit unions in the community

Bringing back the Backpack Bundle

CO-OP Financial Services, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., again is partnering with Yoobi on a Spring Backpack Bundle Drive, designed to help credit unions support schools and students in their communities. For every $1,500 a CU invests in the program, it will receive 50 backpacks plus school supplies. Also included will be material directing students and parents to financial literacy resources and a financial literacy kit for the recipient organization. Credit unions then can engage in staff team-building with a stuffing party for employees to assemble the backpacks with pencils, rulers, crayons and other essential supplies. It is each credit union’s decision where to donate the backpacks – such as a local school, homeless shelters, or others. Yoobi will donate an equal number of backpacks and supplies to the Kids in Need Foundation, which will distribute the items nationally.

Any credit union can participate, regardless of affiliation with CO-OP, online sign-up is open now through March 31. Backpack orders will begin to be shipped to participating credit unions in late February.

TruStone gives back

In Plymouth, Minn., employees of TruStone Financial FCU and Mortgage Lending Services volunteered more than 1,500 hours of service with various organizations through Minnesota and Wisconsin on CU Forward Day, a Minnesota Credit Union Network initiative to “spread kindness throughout Minnesota communities.” Separately, TruStone employees raised $1,055 for the American Red Cross to support hurricane relief. The TruStone Financial Foundation then matched these funds dollar-for-dollar for a total donation of $2,110.

SECU's annual meeting

Raleigh, N.C.-based State Employees’ CU hosted its 2017 annual meeting, with members from across the state attending in support of their cooperative. The event kicked off with a volunteer luncheon and an educational segment that featured animated videos highlighting a few of SECU’s “coming attractions” for enhanced member service.

Scholarships awarded

Michigan Legacy CU, Pontiac, Mich., awarded college scholarships totaling $4,500 to six students through a video contest. Three finalists were selected from students attending Monroe Community College, Henry Ford Community and Baker College, each receiving $1,000. Secondary scholarships of $500 each were awarded to three deserving students.

Achieva's Box Car Rally returns

Dunedin, Fla.-based Achieva CU hosted hundreds of box car racers at the eighth-annual Achieva Box Car Rally, creating one of the biggest community events in downtown Clearwater and raising thousands of dollars for Pinellas County classrooms. More than 60 teams participated in the year’s rally, racing homemade gravity-powered race cars before 2,500 spectators.

Let's do lunch

Neighbors FCU, Baton Rouge, La., participated in CU Lunch Local, a promotion to drive positive awareness of the credit union industry’s capability and willingness to support local businesses. Separately, More than 250 Neighbors employees volunteered at more than 20 charity organizations in its service area on “Neighbors Day.”