Honoring academic achievement: Credit unions in the community
July 28, 2017 12:00 PM
Partnerships and scholarships
Advantage FCU, Rochester, N.Y., in partnership with Rochester General Hospital, donated $2,500 to the RGH Youth Apprentice Program through the RGH Debit Card Program. In addition to the $2,500, Advantage FCU awarded a $1,500 college scholarship to one of the graduating high school seniors in the program.
Pet supply drive
Vermont FCU, Burlington, Vt., held a two-month pet supply drive in its South Burlington branch. Community members dropped off pet food, toys, bones and other supplies, and cash, to be donated to All Breed Rescue of Williston, Vt. The CU donated two large boxes and $725.
Keesler FCU expands
Keesler FCU, Biloxi, Miss., opened its first branch in Mandeville, La., in the Beau Chêne community. A grand opening celebration was held with a complimentary lunch served by Pathway Gourmet.
SECU's scholars
Raleigh, N.C.-based State Employees’ CU hosted 23 SECU Foundation scholarship recipients at a Scholars’ Day pilot program. The participants, who received their scholarships in 2013-2016, were invited for a day of personal and professional development involving educational sessions, personal finance activities, career exploration, networking and local community service.
Scholarship winners
The York Chapter of Credit Unions announced three winners of its 2017 scholarships: Erin O’Malley, Trevor Grim and Ciara Coombes. Each received $1,000 toward his/her first year of schooling.
Photographer: Kae-Chy Chen
UNCLE celebrates the big 6-0
Livermore, Calif.-based UNCLE Credit Union marked its 60th anniversary this year. Hundreds attended a special event celebrating this major milestone.
Random acts of kindness
Bannockburn, Ill.-based Great Lakes CU continued its random acts of kindness program as its branches in Woodstock, North Chicago and Gurnee paid it forward, donating women’s clothing to the Pioneer Center for Human Services, donating to the Furthering the Lives of Youth event, and surprising 30 members with Wendy’s and Portillo’s gift cards, respectively.
Skyward aims higher
Skyward CU, Wichita, Kan., announced the winners of the inaugural Aim Higher Scholarships for the 2017-2018 school year. Four undergraduates were selected by committee from an application pool of 70. Each winner will receive an award of $1,000 to support his/her education.
'Color Me Crossland'
Andrews FCU, Suitland, Md., sponsored the Color Me Crossland Fun Run/Walk. The event, organized by the Class of 2017 in partnership with the Crossland PTA, seeks to shift discussions about non-violence to positive actions and invite students to become “ambassadors of peace.”
Top workplace
FORUM CU, Indianapolis, placed second among large companies on the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s “Best Places to Work” list for 2017. This marks the sixth consecutive year FORUM has received recognition on the list, with the CU earning a third place ranking last year.
Emergency assistance donations
Employees of TopLine FCU, Maple Grove, Minn., exchanged donations of food and cash to benefit the Community Emergency Assistance Programs and Keystone Community Services food shelves for the chance to wear jeans on Fridays and Saturdays. TopLine’s 106 employees and many generous members donated nearly 630 lbs. of food and $770 in cash.
Academic achievement celebration
Broomall, Pa.-based Franklin Mint FCU’s Partners in Education Foundation awarded more than $53,000 at its annual academic achievement celebration, where students, teachers and community advocates were recognized. Approximately 600 people attended this year’s event.
