For the kids: Credit unions in the community

July 3, 2018 11:50 AM

Giving kids a head start

Elko FCU, Elko, Nev., donated 100 early childhood learning books, along with reading buddy pillows, to classrooms at the Head Start of Northeastern Nevada preschool.

'Casual for a Cause'

Jeanne D’Arc CU, Lowell, Mass., kicked off its first “Casual for a Cause” day, raising $650 to support Humane Society for Greater Nashua. The CU will hold this event one Tuesday each month to support 12 pre-selected local nonprofit organizations throughout the year.

Robins helps rebuild

Robins Financial CU, Warner Robins, Ga., sponsored Rebuilding Together by contributing to its Annual Work Day Event. CU employees helped rehabilitate a home for a low-income homeowner in the community. Work day tasks included yard work, painting and maintenance.

SECU shreds

State Employees’ CU, Raleigh, N.C., offers members a statewide Shred Day program to dispose of sensitive documents. SECU provided 120 shred events at branches across the state, with thousands of members dropping off 417 tons of shredded material, 32 percent more than the previous year’s total. SECU also celebrated the opening of the SECU Youth Crisis Center in Charlotte, thanks to a $750,000 grant from the credit union.

Classroom grants

Credit Union of America, Wichita, Kan., awarded $7,000 in classroom grants, in amounts ranging from $100 to $500, to teachers who have gone above and beyond in securing funds to implement creative learning environments for their students. The program was created in 2000 and has contributed $183,487.99 to Kansas classrooms.

CU at the soup kitchen

In Waltham, Mass., the RTN Federal Credit Union Employees Community Outreach Committee sponsored and served dinner for 65 men and women at the Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen. The Lodge is one of the non-profit organizations and charities in local communities the Committee supports annually through personal donations and contributions of their free time.

'Presents for Pets' fundraiser

San Diego County CU raised nearly $18,000 to support the San Diego Humane Society, Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center in Riverside County and the Animal Assistance League of Orange County with its sixth annual “Presents for Paws” fundraiser. Funds generated will be used to provide medical care for local shelter animals and educate the community about pet adoption.

Irvine opening

Anaheim-based Credit Union of Southern California, with assistance from the Irvine Chamber of Commerce, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil its full-service branch in Irvine, Calif. The branch formerly was part of Pacific Community CU, and was rebranded after a merger. The location is close to shops and restaurants on Von Karman Avenue.

Bear hugs

ABNB FCU, Chesapeake, Va., hosted its 4th annual “Bear Hug” fundraiser to benefit EDMARC Children’s Hospice of Portsmouth, Va. ABNB employees adopted stuffed teddy bears, dressed and donated them to EDMARC families. ABNB staff raffled numerous bears to members and staff for a monetary donation, which went directly to EDMARC Children’s Hospice.

The big 8-0

Aberdeen Proving Ground FCU, Aberdeen, Md., is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2018 with employee and community activities throughout the year. Employees were given $25 Visa gift cards to perform random acts of kindness in the community, which brought joy to teachers, small business owners, families facing hard times, and to staff members while distributing the cards.