FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn.–SPIRE Credit Union recently hosted its annual Holiday Toy Drive, a 32- year tradition.
More than 2,100 toys were collected at SPIRE’s 20 branches. The toys were donated to 16 local organizations throughout the SPIRE service area. In conjunction with KSTP, SPIRE’s metro branches served as drop-off sites for the popular, “Stuff the Sleigh” campaign.
Several of SPIRE’s branches opted to donate their toys to Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare (Gillette) in Saint Paul, MN. When SPIRE employees dropped off the toys, they also presented a $12,000 check to Minnesota Credit Unions for Kids, benefitting Gillette.
The funds were a result of SPIRE in-branch fundraisers including sales of candy bars, “Archie” truck replicas, and cash donations from members and staff. Archie is SPIRE’s iconic symbol, a 1952 Ford work truck named after their founder, Edgar Archer, and is a tangible representation of being driven by Midwestern values.
“The generosity of our members and employees never ceases to amaze me,” says Dan Stoltz, SPIRE CEO/president. “Their efforts undoubtedly made the holidays a brighter for children throughout Minnesota.”
At right, from left: Sarah Lehman, Rochelle Fellman, Natalie Kinsky, Bridget Petersen and Megen Swenson.