VANCOUVER, Wash.–Columbia Credit Union celebrated its 65th anniversary and 90-day opening of their first Oregon branch during a ribbon cutting ceremony at its new Buckman branch in SE Portland.
Credit union staff and directors, neighbors, business partners, and non-profit representatives from those participating in the Credit Union’s $50k Buckman Giveaway gathered together in celebration.
As the branch’s inviting garage doors were rolled open during the unseasonably-sunny morning event, Columbia Credit Union President and CEO Steve Kenny gave special recognition to Joe Rossi and his family who generously brought the east side’s cooperative history to life, sharing stories and photos of when the area was known as Produce Row. One of those images is now a branch wall mural, paying homage to the Goat Blocks’ cooperative spirit – a spirit that lives on with Buckman neighborhood’s newest cooperative – Columbia Credit Union.
Columbia CU’s Buckman branch opened Oct. 30, 2017.
“As part of our pledge to be a great neighbor, we committed to giving up to $50,000 to five local nonprofit organizations based on branch visitor votes,” said Kenny. “It’s important to Columbia Credit Union to earn your trust with smart people and digital options so you can bank (no, scratch that) “Columbia” how and when you want! We’re proud to support the five organizations that participated in our $50k Buckman Giveaway and together we can make life better.”
- Buckman Arts Focus Elementary School: $10,000
- Feral Cats Coalition of Oregon: $1,500
- Meals on Wheels People: $1,500
- Albertina Kerr: $1,000
- Willamette Riverkeeper: $1,000