We don’t want to forget the great humanitarian deeds of the past, but we wanted to clean up our blog. This is a consolidation of the April 2021 Humanitarian Highlights.
April 1, Making An Impact
This is no April Fools’ joke. #CreditUnions from all over are making an impact within their local communities, serving the members they proudly support on a daily basis. They are truly making an impact on their communities!
Bellwether Community Credit Union
Bellwether Community CU employees donated $1,200 to Families in Transition-New Horizons, which helps families and individuals struggling with homelessness and food insecurity within the greater Manchester area and throughout the state.
Bowater Employees Credit Union
A Bowater Credit Union member has received a $1,000 Pay It Forward prize for her favorite non-profit doing good in the local area, Wild River Retreat. Bowater CU has asked its members to nominate their favorite non-profit, helping people in the counties eligible for credit union memberships. Up to five $1,000 prizes are awarded each year.
Dow Chemical Employees’ Credit Union
The pandemic prevented Dow Chemical Employees’ CU from holding its annual donation drive, which helps restock local pantries. This year, instead of their donation drive, DCECU purchased items to deliver to local organizations in a “donation blitz” over a period of a few weeks. This pivot allowed the credit union to provide a much-needed boost to a few organizations and would allow for restocks.
Land of Lincoln Credit Union
Land of Lincoln Credit Union donated $7,000 to several Illinois Police Departments for them to use as they see fit within the local community. The Departments received Visa Gift Cards, and the gift cards will be used at the discretion of the patrolling officers and offered to citizens of the communities they work in as they see a need.
Oahe Federal Credit Union
There was a large apartment fire that displaced many residents of the Edgewater Apartments last January in Pierre, South Dakota. Thankfully no casualties, but the fire left severe damage, and many residents were left homeless. The credit union started spreading the word that they would accept household donations, as well as an established account for cash donations at the credit union. The community came together, and the donations came pouring in. At the end of the collection, the credit union was able to donate numerous household items and a total of $112,730.26.
VSECU now EastRise
Vermont State Employees Credit Union is providing a total of $50,000 to five Vermont non-profits through their member-directed giving program, We Care 2. These donations will help these selected organizations continue to help Vermonters meet their essential needs, focusing on food, shelter, and heat, and COVID-19 relief efforts.
Zia Credit Union
Zia Credit Union employees collected $1,045 through the Zia CU Employee Giving Campaign. All of the funds raised were donated to the United Way of Northern New Mexico, an organization that helps fight for health, education, and financial stability.
Oak Tree Business Systems, Inc.
We also wanted to bring up how we are participating in this year’s Credit Union SACTOWN Virtual 5k. The event starts on April 10th and ends on the 20th. If you have not signed up, now you have until the 19th as a last chance entry date. They are allowing participants to do more than just run, so that’s great for those of us who tend to avoid running. Be sure to check out the Sacramento Running Association and remember that 100% of the funds go to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in California and Nevada. Thank you to the California Credit Union League and the Nevada Credit Union League for all you do as well!
April 8, Leadership Within the CU Community
For this week’s Humanitarian Highlight, we want to look at leadership within the CU Community. Is your credit union a stand-out when it comes to charity and community? Then hit us up on social media and let’s help get the word out on your good works!!
Alaska USA FCU now Global Federal Credit Union
Alaska USA Federal Credit Union has had a long-term commitment to helping its community. One of those commitments has been helping the United Way of Anchorage. United Way of Anchorage needed to find a new space to call home and so reached out to the community for assistance. Alaska USA, stepped up and offered a new space for them to call their own. Along with the office space, Alaska USA FCU also presented the organization with a $42,000 donation.
Members Choice Financial Credit Union
Due to COVID, many fundraisers and events had to be canceled, including the Members’ Choice Charity Golf Tournament. Their team still banded together and came up with a plan to donate to two local charities. They were the American Legion Post #40 Veterans Emergency Relief and ThinkBIG. Members Choice held a BBQ, basket raffles, and its first-ever food truck. They were able to collect and donate a total of $7,000 to their chosen charities.
PSE Credit Union
PSE Credit Union announced that it will be sponsoring the EVERFI Financial Literacy Bee, taking place in the first two weeks of April. The EVERFI Financial Literacy Bee is a nationwide financial literacy challenge for high school students. The literacy Bee provides an opportunity for students to learn the critical importance of saving and budgeting for short-term and long-term goals.
State Employees’ Credit Union
SECU Foundation is working with the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development (NCASLD) and the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals’ Association (NCPAPA) to help increase leadership among school principals through a new initiative called the Distinguished Practitioners Network (DPN). Virtually, DPN will provide leadership development sessions to principals in high-needs schools, addressing concerns highlighted by COVID-19. The $80,000 grant from SECU will help fund this new initiative.
Trumark Financial Credit Union
Early this year, Trumark Financial created a Concern for Community initiative to support the local organizations during the pandemic. Every month, the credit union chooses an organization to receive the resources needed. This month, the credit union donated baskets of cleaning supplies to five local organizations that offer support services for individuals transitioning through different periods of their lives.
April 15, CUs Building Communities
For this week’s Humanitarian Highlight, we want to look at communities being built and rebuilt. Is your credit union a stand-out when it comes to charity and community? Then hit us up on social media and let’s help get the word out on your good works!! From animals to children and the most vulnerable, let’s look at how CUs are building and rebuilding communities.
Hughes Federal Credit Union
Hughes Federal CU was able to raise $3,725 for the Tucson Wildlife Foundation with a Diana Madaras “Bobcat at the Pool” debit card. These cards were issued to their members in 2020, and each raised $5.00 for the cause. The card featured art by a local artist, Madara,s and it was free to their members with a checking account and even offered discounts at the Madaras Gallery. The Tucson Wildlife Center is a great team of volunteers that helps rescue native wildlife in need. This project has been ongoing since 2019 and has raised more than $7,875. These animals are an important part of our communities.
Hanscom Federal Credit Union
Hanscom FCU ran a #BuildHope campaign that raised $1,000 for the Great Divide Animal Rescue, and $500 for Kiva, Mental Health America, and Girls Who Code. The drive was based on an offer of $10 to their employees for a charity of their choice. The employees were also given an opportunity to turn that $10 into a $1,000 donation if they created a short video to show their reasons for their charity choice. Then the credit union posted the videos on their social media and had the public vote for their favorites.
Trumark Financial Credit Union
Trumark Financial CU put together many baskets containing essential cleaning supplies for use at local Pennsylvania organizations providing help to those who are experiencing domestic violence. The donations were given to A Woman’s Place, Domestic Abuse of Delaware County, Home of the Sparrow, Inter-Faith Housing Alliance, and St. Francis Inn. These charities are truly rebuilding communities and helping people find a better tomorrow.
American Eagle Financial Credit Union
American Eagle FCU donated $5,000 to help kids learn science. The money was donated to the Evolutions (Evoking Learning and Understanding through Investigations of the Natural Science) program. This great cause provides all types of scientific resources to the students in New Haven and West Haven. What a great way to build a scientifically-minded community.
Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union
Evansville Teachers FCU donated $30,000 to the Evansville Vanderburgh County School Corporation (EVSC) thanks to their ETFCU/EVSC Debit Card Program. This program offered six different debit cards that took donations based on every purchase made by the cards. This program is still ongoing, so check out their site for more details on how to support these schools. A great way to make the school community build on its strengths.
Robins Financial Credit Union
Robins Financial CU donated $5,000 to Rebuilding Together Warner Robins in honor of National Rebuild Day. This great charity provides low-income homeowners with critical home repairs and truly helps rebuild their community. The repairs range from roofing, electrical, accessibility modifications, and even landscaping, and other important issues.
April 4, Feeding Communities
For this week’s Humanitarian Highlight, we look at some ways in which credit unions are helping feed those in need. Credit unions are non-profit, and almost all of them spend countless hours and dollars to help their communities. This drive to help others is what we scour the internet every week, and then together with these lists of heroes. Is your credit union a stand-out when it comes to charity and community? Then hit us up on social media and let’s help get the word out on your great works!! Credit Unions feed communities with donations, food, and inspiration ahead.
Visions Federal Credit Union
Visions FCU had a “Grow Hope” Initiative that helped them donate $6,000 to Café Esperanza. Café Esperanza is a restaurant that has “pay-what-you-can” pricing for the diners. The Café works with One World Everybody Eats in a collaborative effort to help build community and help feed those in need. Last year, the Café was able to serve around 10,000 meals.
Connexus Credit Union
Connexus CU donated $1 million to the Wausau Community Partner Campus (CPC). The CPC is a non-profit center that is about offering spaces to help organizations deliver the necessary things to survive and thrive to those in need. This makes it so much easier for those charities to do what they need and save money and time for the locations they use.
Commonwealth Credit Union
Commonwealth CU donated $1 million to the Cardinal Cupboard at the University of Louisville. This student-run food pantry has been helping feed those in need on the campus. This donation will help them renovate the space and even support paid student workers and scholarships. The Cupboard will also be renamed the Commonwealth Credit Union Cardinal Cupboard. They are feeding communities today and will be for quite some time with this donation.
Cornerstone Community Federal Credit Union
Cornerstone Community FCU donated $3,500 to the YWCA of Niagara Frontier, an organization that is improving the lives of women in their community. The credit union has long supported its programs with donations and volunteering as well. For over 100 years, the YWCA and its partners have worked to provide classes and programs to help educate, house, and empower the women of Niagara County.
Freedom Credit Union
Freedom CU donated $2,117 from employees and customers to help purchase essential clothing for homeless children in the Greater Springfield area. They have also been collecting cash donations to help support local animal shelters. Last month, they raised money for the Foundation for TJO Animals and the Franklin County Regional Dog Shelter. The donations were made directly to the local animal shelters as well as through the purchase of “Paw Print” that was for sale at Freedom branches for $1 each. From children to abandoned animals, we see Freedom really helping their community!
April 29, CUs Supporting Local Businesses
For this week’s Humanitarian Highlight, we want to take a look at communities coming together to support their local businesses. Is your credit union a stand-out when it comes to charity and community? Then hit us up on social media and let’s help get the word out on your good works!! From zoos to children and the most vulnerable, let’s look at how CUs are supporting their local businesses.
Charter Oak Federal Credit Union
Charter Oak FCU, located in Waterford, Connecticut, donated $32,000 in emergency food assistance to some of eastern Connecticut’s food pantries and centers. Their large donation was able to help 16 different organizations across eastern Connecticut, making a big difference in their community. Charter Oak FCU was able to make its donation through Charter Oak’s Community Giving Program.
GCS Credit Union now Revity
GCS Credit Union donated $950 to the Macoupin County CEO. They achieved this donation through their Growing Community Schools program. If a GSC employee donates $15 or more, they can wear jeans on Fridays and Saturdays of that month. Macoupin County CEO was the program of the month that GSC employees donated to. Macoupin County CEO is an education program that aims to prepare anyone, but more specifically children, to be proactive in the economy for the future. GCS CU picks a new organization every month to donate to, and month by month are helping out their local community.
First Source Federal Credit Union
First Source FCU has donated $3,000 to Irwin’s Fine Food, a local business in Utica, New York. The donations were made through the Be a Neighbor Fund. This fund allocates donations to small businesses recovering from the financial stresses of the pandemic. Irwin’s Fine Food is one of 5 small businesses that have received donations this week, totaling up to $27,000. Thanks, First Source FCU, for being a community leader and helping out its local businesses during these trying times.
Elevations Credit Union
Elevations CU has been a key leader in the rebuilding of the Boulder community shortly after a tragic mass shooting occurred on March 22nd. Unfortunately, 10 lives were lost in the tragic experience. Fortunately, the Boulder community has come together during these trying times. With help from the Elevations Foundation and Elevations Credit Union, they offered to match donations up to $200,000 made to the families that lost their loved ones. The community donated $509,224, and with the additional $200,000, they raised a total of $709,224. As a result of the successful campaign, the money is being divided among the 10 families that experienced loss during this tragedy. Our heart goes out to these families, the Boulder community, and Elevations Credit Union.
Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union
Since 1990, Maine Highlands FCU has been raising money each year for the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger. Due to the circumstances of the pandemic, their fundraising strategies were different. Thanks to their creativity, employees, and members of Maine Highlands FCU, they were able to raise $17,000. The large donation was able to help 21 local food organizations. Despite the challenging year, Maine Highlands FCU was still able to donate a significant amount and help many in the process.
California Coast Credit Union
California Coast Credit Union held a campaign to help support local minority-owned businesses and raised $35,000 for those businesses. The campaign that California Coast CU held was to incentivize its members to shop locally. When members used their Cal Coast MasterCard (debit or credit), the proceeds went directly to Strategic Alliance. Strategic Alliance supports the local minority-owned businesses. The campaign raised $20,000, and California Coast CU donated $10,000. The $5,000 came from members of the community, and it went directly to local organizations.
Connections Credit Union
The 89-year-old zoo, Zoo Idaho, located in Pocatello, Idaho, has officially opened for the season. This year, they are introducing The Zoo Connections Entrance and Gift Shop. They are hoping this will be the new centerpiece for the zoo. Thanks to donations from Connections Credit Union, Zoo Idaho is hoping for more visitors with their new attractions that could be done as early as mid-summer. Connections CU made it possible for Zoo Idaho to complete these new attractions.
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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