As an organization built to serve the interests of tractor factory workers, Vibrant has always been focused on its community. The philanthropic spirit is simply a part of our DNA. What can we say? We just love making our members' lives that much brighter.
While we love to make financial donations to local charities such as Gilda's Club, March of Dimes, Make a Wish and United Way, we also understand money isn't everything. Sometimes, just showing up is the best thing you can do. After all, they always say "it takes a village" – not a checkbook.
So in honor of giving back, we are topping off all of our philanthropic efforts the best way we know how – with ice cream! That's right. Vibrant is the proud owner of an ice cream truck. We use it to deliver free treats to the community. If free ice cream doesn't make the community smile, we simply don't know what will.
Everybody's got a sweet tooth, so what better way to brighten someone's day? Our VW Van, which we transformed into an ice cream truck, has its own Twitter feed that the community can follow to see where it will show up next. The ice cream truck has been spotted at Vibrant's branches, community events, fundraisers, local businesses, or even just at the park on a sunny day.
An ice cream truck is a nontraditional way to bring genuine smiles to the faces of our community. Not only is the ice cream truck a mobile billboard for the credit union, but people run to it. Literally. How cool is that?
One of Vibrant's main focuses is banking that deposits into the community. What does that really mean? Well for starters, it's not the credit union's ice cream truck, it's the community's. The ice cream truck is available by request to anybody in the community. Vibrant will roll up to an event, pop the top of the ice cream truck and hand out ice cream sandwiches, fudgesicles and freezer pops. In 2015 Vibrant handed out more than 47,000 frozen treats.
Vibrant is all about staying connected to community members. Sometimes that means giving out free Ferris wheel rides at the local baseball diamond, offering free shred days, or in this case, handing out free ice cream. It really is banking reimagined.
Of course, there's more to it than just ice cream. When you are talking about credit unions, you are talking about membership-driven organizations. By becoming a member of a credit union, you become part of a group that's got each other's back.
It's all about making people feel like your friends and family – not customers or employees. Vibrant isn't a stiff and stuffy type of credit union, and when you walk into any of the branches, it's obvious. You're greeted by employees with smiles on their faces – real smiles. It's not uncommon for employees to learn your name and even your interests. That's because the employees genuinely care.
Vibrant's Facebook followers will notice every comment is responded to by the credit union. Vibrant really is your friend. Banking doesn't have to be stiff, uncomfortable and boring. Banks and credit unions can have fun with members and Vibrant has set out to prove it. If you break it down to the nitty gritty, that's what really matters: The people. Creating a real relationship with members is Vibrant's top priority.
Vibrant has been recognized as a true partner to its communities and membership in proving there is a better way to bank. Banking doesn't have to be boring!
Danielle Blocker is marketing coordinator for Vibrant Credit Union. She can be reached at 309-796-4087 or [email protected].
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