Making a positive impact: CUs in the community

May 12, 2017 11:14 AM

Third graders plot 'Google Expeditions'

Michigan Community CU, Jackson, Mich., awarded its quarterly Forward Thinking Grant in the amount of $1,500 to the Third Grade Team at Northwest Elementary School to purchase a Google Expeditions Kit.

Kiss-A-Pig donation

TruMark Financial CU, Fort Washington, Pa., made a $5,300 grant to George Washington High School as part of the CU’s Kiss-A-Pig Financial Literacy Fundraiser. Separately, TruMark employees wore jeans on Fridays for one month in exchange for a donation to Operation Backpack, raising $750.

Ascend's grand opening

Ascend FCU, Tullahoma, Tenn., held a grand opening for its new facility in La Vergne. The beautiful new financial center, which is the credit union’s 20^thMiddle Tennessee location, features technology that is the first of its kind in the mid-state.

A pledge for each new member

Employees of Great Lakes CU, Bannockburn, Ill., voted to support two charities: $5,000 each to A Safe Place and TLC Animal Shelter. Funds were raised through GLCU’s pledge to match $1 for each new member who joined the credit union. Members and employees also contributed at community events such as GLCU’s Child Safety & Fun Fairs and Shred Days.

Children's Ranch donation

Through the generosity of its members and staff, Suffolk FCU, Medford, N.Y., raised more than $4,200 for the Timothy Hill Children’s Ranch in Riverhead, a farm-style campus which provides a safe environment to children who have suffered from abuse, neglect and crisis.

MLK observance

Michael Bartelle, VP European Operations for Suitland, Md.-based Andrews FCU, served as a keynote speaker for the U.S. Army Garrison-Wiesbaden’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. observance. Andrews FCU performed several random acts of kindness in its service area, including filling the gas tanks of randomly selected service members at Joint Base Andrews. The CU filled up 70 cars, totaling more than $2,140.

Honoring organizations that make a positive impact

In Michigan, the Battle Creek Chapter of Credit Unions hosted an evening event to recognize and honor local non-profit organizations that have made a positive impact in the community. The Food Bank of South Central Michigan was one of the organizations honored that evening, and it was given $1,500 by chapter members to use toward helping people be food secure.

Jeans because they care

SIU Credit Union, Carbondale, Ill., presented two local non-profits with donations on behalf of its “Jeans Because We Care” fund. The Night’s Shield Children’s Shelter and Perry County Humane Society were selected by staff to each receive $2,395. Every Friday the staff at SIU CU has the option to wear jeans for a $2 donation.