HARAHAN, La.–With portions of the state still flooded and as many as 40,000 homes impacted here, the Louisiana Credit Union League has issued what it is calling the “Louisiana CU Strong Challenge” to credit unions across the state.
At one point, as many as 20 credit unions in Louisiana were partially or fully closed as the result of the flooding, primarily in the southeastern part of the state.
"We want to encourage friendly competition amongst our credit unions as they challenge each other to match or beat each other in donations to the Louisiana Foundation,” said LCUL President/CEO Anne Cochran in a statement on the league’s website. "We have a strong CU movement in Louisiana, and we want to show the rest of the country just how resilient we are."
The Louisiana CU Strong Challenge works this way: Credit unions will post a video or their official "challenge accepted" photo using the hashtag #LACUStrong. The photo/video is then also sent to LCUL VP of Communications and Public Relations Lacey Hyer.
Suggested text for the challenge reads, "XYZ credit union has accepted the Louisiana Strong CU Challenge and has donated $$$ to the Louisiana Foundation. We challenge ABC credit union and other credit unions to match or beat our donation and for a member of your team to do 20 pushups/sit-ups/jumping jacks in support of the estimated 20 branches that suffered damages to show that we're Louisiana Strong.”
Credit unions may challenge a specific CU or just do a general callout. Every credit union that makes a donation will receive signage for their branches, letting their members know that they've donated to the Louisiana CU Foundation for recent flood victims.
The largest donation in each asset category will awarded a free lunch hosted by LCUL (along with bragging rights), the league said. Every participating CU will receive a special sweet treat delivered by a LCUL team member. All donors will receive recognition in league publications.
The league said CUs donating more than a $1,000 will receive a free registration for an LCUL webinar of their choice.
Money raised will be deposited into the Louisiana Credit Union Foundation Designated Fund.