BURNSVILLE, Minn.–Beginning today, families can walk into any one of Firefly Credit Union’s nine branches and pick up a free Firefly Kit, with a net and a mason jar filled with tips for hunting fireflies and teaching kids about money.
The goal is to inspire parents to get their children into nature and use the experience to put them on a path to financial literacy.
“I remember the excitement of catching fireflies as a kid,” said Firefly Credit Union President and CEO Bill Raker. “We want parents to make memories with their children and lead them to new discoveries, while teaching them to make good money decisions.”
The credit union noted that the flashing lights of fireflies are fading in the Twin Cities as wetlands and grassy areas are being replaced with the bright lights of commercial real estate development. Firefly Credit Union said it wants to help families rediscover these beloved beetles by giving children the tools they need to enjoy them - while also teaching them to save money.
Firefly Credit Union is offering kids these five steps for filling their jar with coins:
1) Set a goal of how much you want to save
2) Decide what you’ll do with your savings
3) Talk with your parents for ideas of how to earn money
4) Save, save, save
5) Earn dividends by moving your money into a savings account when your jar is full
It is also offering these tips to kids to illuminate their jar with fireflies:
1) Add a wet paper towel to your jar and cover with plastic wrap. Poke holes to let air flow
2) Find a marshy area with tall grass after sunset
3) Flash a flashlight to attract the fireflies and carefully catch them in your net
4) Place the fireflies in your jar and watch them illuminate
5) Release your fireflies back into nature