JAMESTOWN, N.D.—To mark its 75th anniversary this year, First Community CU has performed 75 random acts of kindness within the communities it serves.
The 75 acts were broken down by branch or department, and then more than 150 employees and board members determined what they wanted to do in their own communities. Some plans included preparing meals for holiday dinners at local churches, playing bingo with residents at a retirement community, volunteering at the local Humane Society, donating to the Salvation Army food pantry, and delivering doughnuts to local elementary school teachers.
“At First Community, we take pride in serving others both within our credit union and within our community,” said Steve Schmitz, CEO of the $525-million CU. “It’s been wonderful to see what the groups have come up with and rewarding to see the impact. We’ve seen recipients pay it forward and encourage others to do the same.”
The 10 First Community CU employees in the operations department in Jamestown contacted Stutsman County Social Services to see if it had any needs. In the end, the operations department donated nearly 100 items to three local families — one in particular that had been displaced from their home with little possessions. Donated items included clothes, toiletries, toys and food items.
“Although we weren’t able to meet with the family directly, the social worker was moved by the donations, knowing the difference it would make,” said Kayla Curtis, member relations manager at FCCU. “It was amazing to see how our department was able to pull together to help others in need. And we don’t want it to end there; we plan to continue to help this family after the holidays by furnishing a few items once they find a home.”
The acts of kindness were all completed before the close of 2014.
Related
'Pay It Forward Day' To Become Tradition