ST. PAUL, Minn.–Dozens of credit union employees fanned out across one state while nearly 2,500 employees from a single CU in another state also headed into their communities yesterday for a day of volunteerism, fundraising, community projects and more.
In both cases the efforts are part of a growing trend by credit unions to take advantage of what is typically an off day—the Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s day holiday–to do widespread good works. The efforts also coincide with International Credit Union Week this week and International Credit Union Day on Thursday.
The Minnesota Credit Union Network again hosted its CU FORWARD Day during which credit unions gave back to their communities in multiple ways.
CU Forward Day was initially created by Affinity Plus FCU before growing into a statewide event under the auspices of the MnCUN.
“CU Forward is a state-wide initiative through the Minnesota Credit Union Network of credit unions coming together to do one simple thing – spread kindness” the association said ahead of the event. “On CU Forward Day, credit union employees, members and partners join one another to volunteer with local organizations, give back to our communities, commit random acts of kindness and generally just say ‘thank you’ to the people who deserve it most. It’s really at the heart of what credit unions represent.”
While the Network is still tabulating participation in this year’s event, in 2019 58 different credit unions participated with more than 4,000 volunteers giving a total of 20,000 hours of time.
In addition to Minnesota, the Illinois Credit Union League hosted a CU Kind Day, a credit union driven kindness day, and Mississippi credit unions have piloted a giveback day through their young professional’s group, LEAD.
Annual Day of Service at BECU
Meanwhile, in Seattle, nearly 2,400 employees from BECU participated yesterday in its Annual Day of Service. The employees participated remotely by assembling more than 25,000 personal supply kits for nine nonprofit organizations that are helping its communities in Washington and South Carolina.
“Our Annual Day of Service is a chance for employees to connect with each other and demonstrate our commitment to give back to the communities where our members live, work and play,” said Benson Porter, BECU’s president and chief executive officer. “With the pandemic negatively affecting so many people this year, we were inspired to get creative and develop a new approach to help our nonprofit partners in supporting more individuals and families in our communities.”
The credit union outfitted each employee with 10 kits to assemble from home, while also connecting with their work teams digitally through video chat. The kits vary by each partner organization and include personal care, baby items, school supplies or snack packs, BECU added.
Nine Partners
BECU said it is partnering with nine organizations to distribute kits, including:
- FareStart: Personal care kits and snack packs will support job training programs and individuals in King County experiencing barriers to employment, including poverty, homelessness and a history of incarceration.
- Food Lifeline: Personal care kits will be deployed to food pantry, meal program and shelter partners across 13 counties in Western Washington, reaching hundreds of individuals and families in need.
- Giving Back Packs: Personal care kits will benefit over 1,200 people in Spokane, Wash. who are experiencing homelessness and are in need of basic items.
- Housing Hope/HopeWorks: Personal care kits will be given to individuals and families in Snohomish County through its programs focused on helping people attain homeownership.
- One80 Place: Personal care kits will go to the largest homeless service provider in South Carolina’s Lowcountry region to assist families and individuals in need.
- Raising Girls: Personal care kits will be provided to girls in Pierce County and Seattle’s South Sound who do not have access to daily care and hygiene products.
- Tukwila Children’s Foundation: Personal care, baby and school supply kits will be distributed to local families through Impact Public Schools/Puget Sound Elementary, Church by the Side of the Road and Tukwila School District.
- United Way of King County: School supply and personal care kits will be distributed to middle school students and families through the Bellevue School District, NISO Programs and nonprofits like Congregations for the Homeless, The Sophia Way and Mary’s Place.
- Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery: Child supply kits will support Spokane, Washington families in need of basic items such as a toothbrush, socks and a hairbrush.
Fin Ed Classes Cancelled
As CUToday.info ha reported, BECU typically uses the day to send employees into the market to teach financial education to tens of thousands of high school students as part of its Annual Day of Service on Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Since 2015, BECU employees have reached 30,000 students, it said.
But this year it noted most school buildings closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s approach provided employees the opportunity to serve their communities from home.