Manchester, N.H. —America’s Credit Union Museum (ACUM) is calling on credit union leaders, members, and supporters nationwide to join A Labor of Love: A Day of Giving on Wednesday, Aug. 27—a national campaign to honor the everyday people who built the credit union movement from the ground up.
“From mill workers and farmers, to teachers and shopkeepers, the credit union movement was born from a powerful idea: that financial institutions should serve people, not profit,” ACUM said. “This year’s giving day both celebrates that legacy and lays the groundwork for the Museum’s newest permanent exhibit, Woven in History: A Tapestry of Unsung Heroes, opening in September 2025.”
The Unsung Heroes exhibit will honor the lesser-known contributors whose work has often gone unrecognized, but who were essential to the growth and success of credit unions nationwide, ACUM explained.
“Through first-person accounts, photographs, historic artifacts, and interactive digital elements, the installation will preserve and share their legacies for generations to come. A Living Exhibit Built by the Community What sets this exhibit apart is its participatory nature,” ACUM said, adding Unsung Heroes will grow through the generosity and stories of donors.
Each contribution supports the inclusion of a personal story, submitted by individuals or credit unions, into the digital exhibit. Stories will be added on a rotating basis, ensuring a continually evolving, inclusive portrait of the movement’s unsung champions.
“The Day of Giving on Aug. 27 is a vital first step in building this exhibit. Funds raised will support the creation of the digital platform, the production and curation of story content, and nationwide outreach to gather stories that might otherwise be lost to history,” ACUM said.
“We know the credit union movement was shaped not just by its pioneers, but by thousands of everyday people whose passion and purpose brought financial access to their communities,” said Stephanie Smith, ACUM executive director. “Unsung Heroes is about honoring those people and the Labor of Love campaign will help us tell their stories.”
How to Get Involved Donate:
- Donations of $100+ are eligible for a name or tribute on the Faces of the Movement digital wall.
- All donors: Listed on the Giving Day Honor Roll and receive a digital badge
- Partner organizations can sponsor a matching gift, promote the campaign, or share a founding story Spread the Word
- Use #LaborOfLoveCU to inspire others to give and share campaign highlights
To donate, submit a story, or request more information, visit: https://www.acumuseum.org/alaboroflove