HERNDON, Va.–Northwest Federal held its first-ever “Go Wild” event with its Community Partner, Loudoun Wildlife. The event allowed Northwest members and the Leesburg community to buy native plants and do their part to conserve the local monarch butterfly population. Events like this are Northwest’s way of supporting their Community Partners, allowing them to reach new groups of people.
“Gardens across our area will now have the welcome sign out for Monarchs and all sorts of other pollinators,” said Executive Director of Loudoun Wildlife, Nicole Hamilton. “Northwest Federal helped us share the story of the plight of the Monarch butterfly and the simple things we all can do to bring back the population. It was an amazing day!"
At right, from left to right: Nicole Hamilton, Executive Director of Loudoun Wildlife, Michelle Sandy, Northwest Federal’s Mortgage Business Development Specialist and Katherine Daniels, President and Board Member of Loudoun Wildlife.
Separately, Northwest FCU’s charitable arm, the NWFCU Foundation recently awarded $80,000 in scholarships to 16 students as part of the Foundation’s annual Scholarship Program.
The program recognizes students who demonstrate leadership skills and dedication to their schools and communities. This year the Foundation awarded several need-based scholarships, acknowledging the rising cost, as well as the increasing importance, of higher education.
“Our Foundation’s Scholarship Program is a great source of pride for Northwest Federal,” said President and CEO Chris McDonald. “Scholarships are one tangible way we show our commitment to supporting our members’ dreams and celebrating life’s important milestones with them.”
Since the program began in 2005, the Foundation has awarded a total of $877,000 in scholarships to 182 recipients. Donations to the program come from members and corporate sponsors, including the credit union, the Central Intelligence Retirees Association and NW Capital Management.
“We are thrilled to have received such generous donations from members of Northwest Federal, our long-standing donors, and corporate sponsors,” said Executive Director of the NWFCU Foundation, Alexzandra Shade. “With their support we’re able to continue our mission to support dedicated, high-achieving young members of our community as they continue their educational pursuits.”