MADISON, Wis.–Credit unions around the world are celebrating International Credit Union Day today with everything from awareness promotions, volunteering in their communities to prize giveaways and more.
With the 2019 theme “Local Service. Global Reach,” many credit unions in the U.S. actually began their celebration on Monday when those CUs used the holiday to go into their communities to give back in countless ways, as CUToday.info reported here.
This year marks the 71stannual International Credit Union Day, which is always held on the third Thursday in November. The World Council of Credit Unions said the world’s 56,000 credit unions will be raising awareness through outreach, contests, conducting charitable fundraisers and hosting open houses, among other activities around the world.
WOCCU said it plans to showcase ICU Day 2019 celebrations from across the globe on its Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn pages throughout the day.
What Better Way?
“This year’s theme for ICU Day is ‘Local Service. Global Reach.’ What better way to emphasize our role in that effort than to highlight the local service credit unions from around the world are providing to their members and staff,” said Brian Branch, World Council president and CEO.
Harland Clarke is the sponsor of International Credit Union Day in conjunction with CUNA and the World Council.
“Credit unions play a vital role in empowering members and their local communities to build a bright financial future. We are proud of the role we play in supporting that charter by helping nearly 3,000 credit unions create strong and long-lasting engagement with their members,” said Jana Schmidt, CEO, Harland Clarke. “On International Credit Union Day, we reflect upon the remarkable progression of the credit union movement and celebrate their mission of improving the lives and financial well-being of consumers.”
Celebrations Around the Country & World
Among the various ways International CU Day is being celebrated:
- In Burnley, U.K., Pennine Community Credit Union said it is welcoming visitors at its three branches where people can find out about the “ethical savings and affordable loans services that we provide.”
- In Bannockburn, Ill., Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) is inviting members and non-members to visit its branches for refreshments, fun, and chances to win prizes. The credit union said many of its 165 employees also participated in CU Kind Day on Oct. 12 by volunteering for local charities, events, and organizations. “Great Lakes Credit Union is excited to join fellow credit unions in support of our movement. Bringing awareness to the credit union difference is what this special day is all about. It’s our goal to celebrate those that have sacrificed so much in ensuring the credit union difference is realized by so many in our local communities,” said CEO Steve Bugg, president/CEO of Great Lakes Credit Union.
- In Jay, Maine, OTIS Federal Credit Union is hosting an all-day commemoration that will include baked goods and cider from Berry Fruit Farm, freshly popped popcorn, and a barbecue from 11:30 a.m.– 2 p.m.
- Elsewhere in the state, the Maine CU League said credit unionswill be hosting member appreciation events and giving back to their favorite local causes, including Maine’s Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger. Maine Credit Unions also will be sponsoring ads featuring real members sharing the meaningful impact credit unions have had on their lives, the league said. “These ads will capture the spirit of International Credit Union Day and will continue to be used after International Credit Union Week is over,” according to the MCUL.
- In Waukegan, Ill., Consumers Credit Union said its staff will be greeting members in branches. Those visiting a CCU office on Credit Union Day “will enjoy a sweet treat while chatting with their local credit union staff,” the credit union said.
- In Lansing, Mich., MSUFCU is celebrating all this week. Members who stop by a branch during Credit Union Week can pick up a free gift as a token of its appreciation, the CU said.
- LOC FCU in Michigan said it will be offering complimentary refreshments and snacks, free LOC swag and entries into a grand prize giveaway at each of its branches.
- In Warwick, R.I., Wave FCU this week is offering members complimentary lunches with a Haven Bros. Food Truck at its Warwick Ave Branch on Oct. 11th and again on Oct. 15th at its main office.
- In Vail, Ariz., Hughes FCU is marking the one-year anniversary of its newest branch serving Vail and southeast Tucson on International Credit Union Day with Viva Coffee House coffee, cookies and giveaways.
- In Omaha, Neb., Four Points FCU on ICU Day will be offering complimentary breakfast treats, drinks, and snacks at its 127th street branch in the morning. There will also be a special one-day mystery prize drawing.
- Credit unions in Spokane, Wash., will be coming together to support the Mid-City Concerns Senior Center to help revitalize the facility and create hundreds of special bags for their seniors in case of an emergency. The Senior Center provides a nutritional and social lifeline for seniors who are experiencing homelessness or are existing off of incomes far below the federal poverty level. These senior citizens are nutritionally at risk due to lack of resources to buy, store, and prepare food, the credit union said. In addition to the volunteer efforts, credit unions in the Spokane chapter have donated $35,000 and counting to further assist with providing meals and programs to help empower the senior citizens.
- In Duluth, Ga. Today, Georgia United CU will be holding a #Swipe4CHOAone-day promotion during which it will donate $.10 of every debit card transaction, up to $5,000, to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA).
- In Michigan, members who use ATMs of Community Choice Credit Union could find some extra money this week. Several $20 bills will be randomly replaced with $50 bills at the credit union’s statewide ATMs. To avoid confusion, the lucky $50 bills are stamped with #drivekindness, the credit union said. “Anyone who benefits from the increase is encouraged to use a portion of the $30 windfall to pay it forward, such as picking up the bill for someone’s coffee or lunch or donating to a local charity,” according to CCCU. In total, Community Choice will infuse $10,000 into local economies across Michigan.
- Earlier this week, employees of Teachers Credit Union in Indiana went into the community for its second annual Day of Giving. The employees contributed time and effort at 43 organizations in 16 counties, such as Unity Gardens in South Bend, which educates the community about gardening and hopes to end hunger. Volunteers assisted the Gardens with laying down mulch and preparing on-site plants for the winter ahead. Those who attended say they were just happy to help out. Other local organizations that TCU helped include the Children's Dispensary, La Casa De Amistad, and the Beacon Children's Hospital.
- In Espanola, N.M. today, Del Norte Credit Union employees and members, as well as the community itself, will be coming together at Valdez Park to do some cleaning up.
A team of Del Norte CU employees will be at the park from 10 a.m. to 3. p.m. The credit union adopted the park in 2015.“Our philanthropic efforts are focused on improving the lives of the youth of Northern New Mexico, and we know that this project goes a long way to shape the future of tomorrow, and helps instill pride in the community,” stated Chuck Valenti, DNCU CEO/President.
- Across Illinois, more than to credit unions participated in CU Kind Day. The Illinois CU League said credit unions throughout Illinois were encouraged to customize an outreach effort that demonstrated their commitment to the community with a day of giving back. Illinois credit unions exceeded expectations with employees participating in events that included food drives, collecting funds for Ronald McDonald House, sponsoring a children’s reading club, bagging groceries at local stores, and providing random acts of kindness by passing out gift cards. Additional outreach efforts included Decatur Earthmover CU hosting a carnival for adults in a group home and Consumers CU in Gurnee catering food to police and fire stations in the area, the ICUL said. Overall, a total of more than 2,400 credit union volunteers impacted well over 20,000 individuals throughout the state. “I’m so proud to work in an industry that focuses on people over profits,” said League President Tom Kane. “With credit unions, ‘people helping people’ is more than just a nice phrase, it’s the reason for everything we do. The CU Kind Day initiative is a demonstration of that mindset – it’s the credit union difference in action!”
Other Activities
Meanwhile, as CUToday.info reported earlier, many credit unions used the Monday holiday in the U.S. to give back to their communities. Among those efforts:
- BECU in Seattle held its Annual Day of Service event.
More than 2,000 employees will host financial reality fairs for thousands of students from 18 high schools in Puget Sound and Spokane. “The goal of the Annual Day of Service is to create realistic financial scenarios for teens in a setting where they receive coaching while navigating the decision-making process to live within the means of their persona,” BECU said. “Students are each assigned a persona and income during these interactive fairs, and challenged to manage their expenses while navigating various spending decisions around transportation, housing, entertainment and more.”
- In La Crosse, Wis., Altra Federal Credit Union held its second Altra Gives Back Day involving a variety of community volunteer activities. "Altra strives to make the communities we serve better places to live and one way we achieve that is through employee volunteerism," said Altra President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Koenen. More than 300 local employees and over 100 employees nationwide will volunteer at more than 30 organizations, including food banks, animal shelters as well as outdoor trails to youth centers, nursing homes and random acts of kindness.
- Credit unions across Minnesota will be participating in CU Forward Day. Initially created by Affinity Plus FCU as “Plus It Forward Day” in 2013, the idea has continued to grow, with the Minnesota Credit Union Network now coordinating participation. In 2018, Minnesota’s CUs held their second CU FORWARD day and supported community service projects and volunteer opportunities that impacted over 335,000 Minnesotans, according to the MnCUN. Last year more than 49 credit unions participated and even more are expected to participate this year.
- In Tulsa, Okla., Red Crown Credit Union employees volunteered at the Tulsa Ronald McDonald House.
- Denver Community Credit Union in Colorado participated in Denver Community Gives, with its employees donating their time at six local nonprofits.
- In Florida, Tampa Bay-area credit unions sponsored the 15thAnnual Credit Unions Kids Classic at Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.
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