BURNSVILLE, Minn.– As part of “I Love Burnsville Week,” Firefly Credit Union looked to local third-graders in the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 to tell them why they love the city they call home.
Students wrote essays following the prompt “I Love Burnsville because…” for the 8th annual “Why I Love Burnsville” essay contest. Three winners were selected by Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz and Firefly representatives. This year, winners included Efrata E. and Aisha H. from Sioux Trail Elementary and Samira M. from William Byrne Elementary. Firefly awarded $50 to contest winners and to their respective teachers to help aid in providing classroom supplies. Honorable mentions in the essay contest, as well as their teachers, received $25.
“I love Burnsville’s teachers and schools. They challenge us and make us smart,” said winner, Samira M., who also noted that the Burnsville community is a great place to learn about different cultures and traditions.
In addition to local schools, another common trend among entries was how peaceful and welcoming the Burnsville community is. Students noted feeling safe because of the great job that their safety patrols, school staff, city officials, and police officers do on a daily basis.
“The ‘Why I Love Burnsville Essay Contest’ is always an enjoyable activity to help judge,” said Firefly Credit Union President/CEO, Bill Raker, who presented students and their teachers with their awards at the Burnsville City Council meeting in early June. “The students reminds us of the things that make Burnsville such a wonderful place to live and work.”
Separately, Firefly Credit Union partnered with Shred Right and Green Lights Recycling, Inc.to host their annual Community Shred Even, a day filled with constant rain showers and safe recycling.
The event was held at Firefly’s Burnsville, Bloomington, Fridley, Lakeville and Maple Grove locations. Members and community members alike who attended the event brought in sensitive documents, which were shredded on-site, as well as electronic items to be securely recycled.
The event also has a positive impact on the environment, helping members of the Greater Twin Cities Community keep 3,206 pounds of electronics of out landfills. Attendees also recycled 34,613 pounds of paper. According to Shred Right, the recycled paper equates to saving 294 trees, 121,145 gallons of water, 51.92 cubic yards in landfills and 8.65 years of energy for the average home.