ST. PAUL, Minn.– For the sixth year, Affinity Plus FCU has held its annual day of generosity and kindness, this time focused on community contributions.
On what it calls “Plus It Forward Day,” the credit union’s 500-plus employees have traditionally spent a full day volunteering, serving and scattering kindness in Affinity Plus communities across Minnesota.
This year, however, Affinity Plus said it took a “slightly different” approach. Rather than providing “boots on the ground,” Affinity Plus said it allocated $50,000 to “Plus it Forward” to charities, organization and community partners so that they may further their goals.
Plus It Forward Day has always taken place on the second Monday of October, Columbus Day, which is also known as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
“We established this day in 2013 for the sole purpose of doing good and improving lives and communities on a local level,” said Dave Larson, Affinity Plus President/CEO. “Plus It Forward is a favorite day of the year for so many of our employees – it truly has become engrained into who we are as an organization.”
Committee Directs Funding
Affinity Plus said for much of this year its employees have been focused on implementing major system and technology improvements across the organization to serve members better, Larson said.
The comprehensive technology upgrades were critical in setting up the credit union for the future, according to Larson, but Affinity Plus leaders and employees didn’t want to lose Plus It Forward momentum and impact.
“That’s where the financial contributions come into play, as a committee of employees from across Minnesota determined how best to invest this financial support,” the credit union said.
“We have such a powerful impact on our communities by staying local, and our employees and leaders understand the unique needs of each community, Larson said. “And, without question, we will leverage the collective power of our employees again in future years as we continue the Plus It Forward Day tradition.”
Organizations Receiving Funds
Among the organizations receiving support this year:
- 360 Communities, which gives hope and support to people by engaging communities to prevent violence.
- Alexandria Veteran’s Memorial Park, which honors 9,000 Veterans in Douglas County.
- Boys & Girls Club of Grand Rapids & Greenway, which invests in the future of area youth by providing accessible, affordable after-school programs for kids age 6 to 18.
- Dorothy Day Center, which helps those in need with basic services and working to provide pathways out of poverty and prevent it all together.
- Faith’s Lodge, which assists parents and families facing the death of a child and supporting an employee’s return to work during this transitional time.
- Hastings Family Service, which provides a range of emergency and supportive services to assist neighbors who lack food, clothing, shelter or transportation.
- Mankato Area Foundation, which collaborates as a community partner to promote philanthropy and provide funding to a variety of organizations in the Mankato region.
- Moorhead Police Athletics & Activities League, which helps to reduce juvenile crime by engaging area youth in athletics and activities.
- Neighborhood House, which provides support to 15,000 people each year through education, youth programs, health and well-being.
- Opens Doors Foundation, which provides rental and mortgage payment assistance to families with critically ill or injured children.
- Red Cross Southeast MN Chapter, which prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies.
- Ronald McDonald House, which provides a comfortable and caring home-away-from-home that helps keep families together and reduces stress during a child’s serious illness.
- Second Harvest Heartland, which works to end hunger through community partnerships in communities across Minnesota.
- Special Olympics Minnesota, which serves people of all ages with intellectual disabilities through fitness, nutrition, competition and leadership programs.
- Veteran’s Home of Minneapolis, which provides services to Veterans to meet physical, social and spiritual needs.