We don’t want to forget the great humanitarian deeds of the past, but we wanted to clean up our blog. So this is a consolidation of September 2020 Humanitarian Highlights.
October 1, New Blessings
Happy October, everyone, and happy Humanitarian Highlight day! It is always a pleasure to shine the spotlight on some amazing credit unions that are doing incredible acts of kindness for their communities. These new blessings are going to help build some great communities!
This week, we also wanted to bring awareness to this year’s CU FORWARD Day, an annual celebration of credit unions spreading kindness! This Minnesota event is held annually and is a statewide initiative of credit union employees, members, and partners coming together to volunteer with local organizations and generally give a huge “thank you” to the people who deserve it most. Minnesota’s Credit Unions will hold its CU FORWARD Day on Monday, October 14! For more information, make sure to click HERE and tune in for more!
First Trust Credit Union
This year, First Trust Credit Union distributed a total of $8,630 in scholarships to eight local high school students. “What’s very exciting about our scholarship program is that we offer scholarships to both students pursuing typical four-year degrees and also students pursuing associate’s degrees, certificates, and apprenticeships,” said Dorene Martinson, Marketing Director for First Trust Credit Union.
Navy Federal Credit Union
Navy Federal Credit Union employee volunteers collected and donated various school supplies to Sherwood Elementary School during their annual Sponsor a Teacher drive in Pensacola on Friday, August 21, 2020.
Blackhawk Community Credit Union
Blackhawk Community Credit Union donated $250,000 to a local free clinic despite the credit union’s recent financial retrenchment. The money will be used to buy a building or property to establish a new health care center for HealthNet.
Travis Credit Union
In the wake of the LNU Lightning Complex Fires, the Travis Credit Union Foundation has started accepting donations to address urgent needs. The donations will provide financial assistance for victims, firefighters, and communities that have been impacted by the fires. They also serve to provide funding for anyone in need of food, shelter, clothing, and money for necessities. TCU will cover all administrative costs, so 100 percent of donations will go toward supporting recovery efforts.
Christian Community Credit Union
Christian Community Credit Union donated $10,000 to International Ministries’ (IM) relief effort in response to the devastating explosion in Beirut, Lebanon. IM has global servants serving in the area who can offer immediate help to those affected by the blast.
Rogue Credit Union
The Oregon legislature recently approved $35 million to provide one-time payments of $500 to Oregonians who were financially impacted by the coronavirus. The $35 million in funding is being distributed by specific credit unions across the state. In southern Oregon, the Medford-based Rogue Credit Union has offered to provide any assistance needed. Thank You, Rogue CU!
Calhoun Liberty Employees Credit Union
With school starting back up again, the Calhoun Liberty Employees CU put together goody bags for teachers and staff at all the Liberty County and Calhoun County schools. They also took the liberty of going around and delivering them all!
October 8, Taking that Extra Step
Welcome back, credit union family! How has everyone’s week been going so far? In today’s #HumanitarianHighlight, we mentioned a few credit unions that took that extra stride in making sure the members of their community feel safe and heard. If you know of a credit union that has positively impacted its community, tag us and let us know so we can give them a shoutout! Taking that extra step isn’t hard, especially when you have humanitarians ready to help.
American Heritage Credit Union
Helping create a #CUdifference, American Heritage CU raised $8,338 AND donated 2,284 books from their Books For Kids program!
Want to become a Book Buddy? Call their branch 215.969.0777 for more information!
Wright-Patt Credit Union
WOW! Wright-Patt Credit Union’s Sunshine Community Fund raised well over $260,000 from October 2019 to June 2020!
An $80,000 check was presented to each of their most recent Sunshine Community Champions – Dayton Children’s Hospital and Rebuilding Together Dayton. The remaining $100,000 will go back into the Fund to help support additional community efforts throughout the year. Since 2013, the Sunshine Community Fund has contributed over $2 million to local nonprofit organizations. WPCU held a virtual check presentation to celebrate this milestone while maintaining safe social distancing.
‘Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, WPCU has been working hard to help our members and the communities we serve to build strength,’ said Tracy A. Szarzi-Fors, Wright-Patt Credit Union’s Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. ‘We’re proud to continue supporting local nonprofits that make such a big impact in people’s lives like Dayton Children’s Hospital and Rebuilding Together Dayton.’” Wright-Patt Credit Union
Click HERE to read more!
Great Northwest Federal Credit Union
From the hiatus of the pandemic, a ton of events and meetups had to be canceled due to health reasons. At the end of July, Relay for Life of Grays Harbor hosted a drive-thru event, and with such a generous credit union, Great Northwest FCU participated and donated $5,600!
Georgia United Credit Union
During one of the random acts of kindness stops, Georgia United CU delivered snacks to the faculty and staff from the University of North Georgia!
TwinStar Credit Union
Nothing is ever going to get in the way of this crew! TwinStar CU’s Relay For Life Committee is not letting COVID get in the way of helping out their community. Even with the pandemic, the committee raised an astounding amount of $15,657 to be donated to Relay For Life of Thurston County!
Click HERE to learn about Relay For Life!
Del-One Federal Credit Union
Continuing to show their #CUdifference, this year Del-One FCU donated to 37 organizations while also celebrating 60 years of service!
Click HERE to see what types of positive deeds Del-One FCU has been involved in the past.
Frontwave Credit Union
Let’s give a big round of applause to Frontwave CU for being honored with 6 MAC Awards for excellence in marketing from the Marketing Association of Credit Unions.
“‘It’s an honor to be recognized among our peers who all do such incredible work in the industry. Frontwave has made great strides with our new brand and elevating market awareness, affinity, member loyalty, and penetration in a highly competitive market,’ said Todd Kern, Chief Marketing Officer for Frontwave Credit Union.” CUtoday
CU Forward Day 2020
The annual celebration is happening on Monday, October 12, 2020!
What is CU Forward Day about? This is a statewide day for all Minnesota credit unions to help spread kindness throughout their communities.
“Last year, a total of 58 credit unions and organizations dedicated over 20,000 hours of service to the community as a collective whole with 4,000+ volunteers. The concept spread outside of Minnesota across our nation, as well, with the Illinois Credit Union League launching CU Kind Day, a credit union-driven kindness day, and Mississippi credit unions piloting a giveback day through their young professionals’ group, LEAD.” Minnesota Credit Union Network
October 15, Good Deeds Last Forever
Hello everyone, happy Thursday, and welcome back to an all-new Humanitarian Highlight! It brings us so much joy to see all these wonderful credit unions perform good deeds in their communities. These credit unions have exemplified so much hospitality towards others, and we wanted to shine the spotlight on them! Thank you to everyone who was involved in these exceptional acts of kindness! Catch us back next week for more incredible stories. Because Good deeds last forever.
Public Service Credit Union
Public Service Credit Union awarded ten students $1,000 each. Due to gathering restrictions because of COVID-19, the awardees were honored online at www.PSCUnow.com/scholarships.
Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union
During August, Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union (MMCCU) asked members to bring their coins in for deposit. At the end of the month, MMCCU would donate a percentage of the profits up to $500 to a local charity. Members brought in a total of $14,496.54 coins for deposit in August.
Logix Federal Credit Union
Logix Federal Credit Union announced Tuesday the conclusion of its Paying with a Purpose campaign, having raised $50,000 to benefit five local hospitals serving its branch communities.
Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union
In honor of Hunger Action Month, Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union decided to match gifts to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s Virtual Food Drive, which was up to $10,000!
Members 1st Federal Credit Union
Members 1st Federal Credit Union held its 23rd Annual Charity Golf Classic on Monday, August 31, 2020. The outing format consisted of a four-person scramble with assigned tee times. There were 128 golfers, and it was held at Hershey Country Club. Beneficiaries of the outing included A Week Away Foundation, Central PA Food Bank, Lancaster Recreation Commission, and The Salvation Army. A total of $125,000 was raised, and each organization took $22,000 home checks
The Northwest Federal Credit Union
The charitable arm of Northwest Federal Credit Union recently presented a check for $10,000 to Dr. Julie Leidig, provost of Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)-Loudoun, for use by the NOVA-Loudoun campus for its Lifeline program, an emergency relief fund for students at the Loudoun Campus.
Diamond Credit Union
Diamond Credit Union awarded the 17th annual Alfred A. Panfile Memorial Scholarships to seven local and very deserving students. A total of $7,000 in scholarships was awarded to the Class of 2020. Mr. Panfile was a longtime volunteer member of Diamond’s Board of Directors before his passing in 2012.
Today is a very special day for the Credit Union Community as it is International Credit Union Day, aka ICU Day. It is a great opportunity for us to help raise awareness for those who are not members of a CU to learn how we are helping create and build communities. Especially amidst a global pandemic, we are seeing many members of credit unions find hope and help through their credit unions. This is one of the largest factors that differentiate credit unions from other financial institutions.
October 22, Sigh of Relief
Good morning #CUfamily! Today’s #HumanitarianHighlight consists of a few credit unions that have done great deeds to ensure that everyone in their community is taken care of and is shown support. If you can, follow and like your fellow credit unions’ mentioned pages, so we can help grow the credit union family even more. For those in need, there are credit unions to sigh in relief.
New Horizons Credit Union
Providing a helping hand, New Horizons donated $1,000 to the Penelope House, which offers safe shelter and free resources to victims of domestic violence! The credit union’s employees raised the money through their jeans days as a way to help support local charities.
“Penelope House helps victims of intimate partner violence to gain social and economic independence through shelter, counseling, advocacy, and referral to community resources and agencies in Mobile, Washington, Choctaw, and Clarke Counties in Alabama. The shelter can provide refuge for victims and their children when their lives are in imminent danger. The temporary shelter allows escaping from a violent situation. The prevention of domestic violence through education and public awareness is the goal of Penelope House.” Penelope House, Inc.
Click HERE to learn more!
Cutting Edge Credit Union
Wanting to help the firefighters who are battling fires, Cutting Edge CU found out they needed Chapstick to protect them from the heat and wind. The credit union donated 500 tubes of lip balm to the Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue to be distributed to all the frontline firefighters.
DuGood Federal Credit Union
Lending a helping hand, DuGood FCU partnered up with United Way Orange County, TX to help pass out meals and supplies to people who were affected by Hurricane Laura. Incredible job #CUfamily!
Fitzsimons Federal Credit Union
Let’s give a round of applause to Fitzsimons FCU for reaching its goal of $50,000 for donations to local food banks. To help reach a bigger goal, the credit union now wants to raise $100,000 by working with other credit unions with a virtual food drive for the Food Bank of the Rockies.
“1 in 10 Coloradans worry where their next meal will come from. These are people you meet every day- those with low-wage jobs, children, seniors on fixed incomes, and those with health issues. Surprisingly, the homeless represent only 10% of our food recipients. Nearly half of the food we distribute feeds children.
Hunger can be found everywhere – often where you least expect it. The homeless population represents only about 10% of our food recipients.” Food Bank of the Rockies
Click HERE to learn more about the Food Bank of the Rockies!
Click HERE to head to their site to donate!
Members 1st of NJ Federal Credit Union
Congratulations to Members 1st of NJ FCU for being awarded a $90,000 block grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York’s COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Grant to help businesses and nonprofits recover from the pandemic.
Contact Members 1st of NJ FCU to find out how your business or nonprofit may qualify for the grant.
Arbor Financial Credit Union
Taking the time to help raise awareness, Arbor Financial CU joined in the Stomp Out Stigma 5k! The team was able to raise $4,110 for The Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan – be nice.
“The Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan is a local nonprofit that provides mental health education through our programs, be nice. & Live Laugh Love. Our staff is also certified to teach Mental Health First Aid. be nice. It is our leading education program that is catered to all ages, including senior citizens. Be nice. is an acronym and a four-step Action Plan to notice, invite, challenge, and empower yourself or someone struggling with their mental health. You can learn the be nice. Action Plan and take the Pledge to be nice. in your community at www.benice.org.” be nice.
Click HERE to learn more.
Corda Credit Union (was at the time: Linn Area Credit Union)
Outstanding job to Linn Area CU for donating $10,000 to HACAP in an effort to help provide food and other supplies, and services to people who were affected by the derecho storm.
“We are HACAP – a diverse, community-focused nonprofit dedicated to the sustained improvement of human life in our communities. As one of eighteen Iowa community action agencies, we provide flexible and adaptive programs and services that work toward removing the barriers to self-sufficiency. HACAP provides services in six counties in Iowa: Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Washington. We build collaboration among for-profit, nonprofit, faith-based, service groups, and community members in order to make stronger, healthier communities.
Poverty is a complex human condition that, in many respects, lingers outside traditional market economics. Poverty creates barriers to human progress, restricting individual opportunity. Its impacts need to be addressed locally for maximized results.” HACAP
Click HERE to learn more!
October 29, A World of Good
Happy Humanitarian Highlight Day! It’s the last one for the month of October before we enter November! We hope you all had a wonderful month and hope you have enjoyed reading all the acts of kindness this past month. We look forward to finding more stories and seeing credit unions from all around the country make their communities a little brighter and a world of good.
Workers Credit Union
Workers Credit Union members provided $41,000 to local non-profits through their annual GiveBack program earlier in September. Executives presented checks to each of the organizations, which included Habitat for Humanity, which received $17,300, and Worcester County Food Bank, which received $23,600. We’re so inspired by their members’ generosity. Awesome job!
Rogue Credit Union
In just two weeks, Rogue Credit Union was able to raise more than $1 million for the families and communities affected by the wildfires in Oregon. These devastating fires destroyed thousands of structures and towns, displacing thousands of people in Oregon.
Indiana Members Credit Union
Indiana Members Credit Union presented a check for $1,974 to Carmel High School Athletics as part of their ongoing school spirit debit card program. The program allows Carmel fans the opportunity to show their school spirit and support the athletic program by signing up for a Carmel Greyhounds-themed debit card. Every time the card is used as a signature-based transaction, Carmel Athletics benefits.
Black Hills Federal Credit Union
A group of BHFCU employees was able to lend a helping hand in their final Adopt-A-Mile cleanup of the year. What a great way to keep their community spotless and beautiful! Great job, BHFCU!
Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union
AAACU Board of Directors Chairperson, Charlie Negro, presented an $800 check on behalf of AAACU to the pastor of Oscoda Assembly of God church. These funds will be used to purchase a truckload of food for their monthly grocery giveaway, which helps to feed about 250 families throughout the Oscoda community.
Suffolk Federal Credit Union
Thanks to Suffolk FCU, the Gateway Performing Arts Center (“The Gateway Playhouse”) of Suffolk County in Bellport, N.Y., received a $10,000 grant that administered small business relief grants from the Home Loan Bank of New York, created to support the financial security and health of workers who are employed by organizations that have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
Capital Area Federal Credit Union
Every year in September and October, our community comes together to rally around our cancer survivors, fighters, and loved ones. The Capital Area FCU crew participated in their virtual Walk for Hope this year! They successfully raised over $1,000 for the organization. Great job, everyone!
(Note: these are older blog entries and have been edited since originally posted.)
Oak Tree Business Systems, Inc.
If you would like to be featured in a Humanitarian Highlight or have any comments or questions about our business, please don’t hesitate to contact us via email or by phone at (800) 537-9598.
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