Putting fun into financial literacy: Credit unions in the community
July 13, 2018 4:52 PM
High schoolers get a 'bite of reality'
Ninth-graders from West Valley High School in Hemet, Calif., received a “bite of reality” when they attended an interactive financial education simulation designed to teach them how to manage money on campus, hosted by Riverside-based Altura Credit Union.
Clint Thayer
'Project Money' winner
Over seven months in 2017, Jenniffer Price saved more than $10,000 and reduced her debt by almost $5,000 on her way to winning the top prize of Madison, Wis.-based Summit CU’s Project Money. Each year, the financial-based competition and community education program awards a $10,000 cash prize to the top-performing team.
Bowl-A-Thon
The Wisconsin South Central Chapter of Credit Unions held its 15th Annual Children’s Miracle Network Bowl-A-Thon. The event has raised more than $120,000 during the previous 14 years, with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. This year’s event was held at the RiversEdge Bowling Alley in Janesville and raised a total of $9,674.30.
Coming soon to the classroom
TBA Credit Union, Traverse City, Mich., made its latest classroom grant: $636.28 to Rebecca Walters, a teacher at Traverse City West Middle School. Walters plans to use the funds to purchase new kitchen equipment for the nutrition classes at West Middle School.
Columbia CU recognized
Vancouver, Wash.-based Columbia CU’s new Buckman Branch in SE Portland, Ore., earned Sustainability at Work Silver certification for 2018-2021 from the City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability.
NEFCU expands
Westbury, N.Y.-based Nassau Educators FCU opened a new branch in Oceanside, the first of several new branches the CU is slated to open in 2018. The 2,055-square-foot branch is the latest example of NEFCU’s desire to open an increasing number of smaller-size branches throughout Long Island, all equipped with the latest banking technology.
PenFed recognized for advertising efforts
For the second year in a row, Pentagon FCU, Tysons, Va., and its marketing and advertising agency, White64, received an internationally recognized industry award for financial advertising: a Gold Midas Award for Editing and a Silver Midas Award for Non-Broadcast Video for their vignettes shown at the 2017 PenFed Foundation Night of Heroes Gala.
Focus on volunteering
Employees of GCS Credit Union, Granite City, Ill., generated 1,526 volunteer hours through the CU’s Caring for our Community program. The top volunteer was Peggy Carson with 162 hours.
Supporting Make-A-Wish
Northeast CU, Portsmouth, N.H., received a visit from two “Wish Kids.” The children and their families arrived bearing sweet treats for staff and members to enjoy, a generous offering to show their gratitude for the annual fundraising by New Hampshire Credit Unions, which helps support the Make-A-Wish NH program.
Municipal teams up with NFL's Jets
In a continued effort to empower youth throughout the New York area, New York City-based Municipal CU partnered with the New York Jets to donate $200,000 to the New York City Department of Education.
Supporting JROTC drill team
Hanscom FCU, Hanscom AFB, Mass., donated $5,000 to the Lowell High School Air Force JROTC Red Raider Drill Team. The donation was used to fund a trip for the drill team to attend the Air Force National Drill Meet in Dayton, Ohio.
Grants for schools
TruMark Financial CU, Fort Washington, Pa., awarded St. George School a $5,500 grant, along with 10 other schools that participated in the CU’s Kiss-A-Pig fundraiser. It is one component of TruMark Financial’s Building Financial Futures initiative, which heightens awareness for financial literacy and raises money for local schools in need of classroom materials.
Celebrating volunteerism
St. Mary’s Bank, Manchester, N.H., honored 29 employees at a breakfast reception at the credit union’s headquarters. They represented the top volunteers in the community, with more than 25 hours given – in some cases more than 100 hours. In all, 89 employees volunteered in their communities, generously donating 3,152 volunteer hours valued at $78,479.
