CUs Recognize Branch Openings, Charitable Gifts & Awards

Credit unions recently celebrated milestones and events such as a new branch opening, scholarship presentations and the honoring of a CEO for his philanthropic efforts. Read on for highlights of what credit unions have been doing lately to support their communities.

The $4.6 billion Bellco Credit Union in Greenwood Village, Colo., opened a new branch at 13700 E. Colfax Ave. in Aurora, Colo. Chairman of the Board of Directors, Steven Angelier (cutting ribbon) and President/CEO Douglas Ferraro (left of Angelier) join members of the Bellco Board of Directors and management team, and the Aurora Chamber of Commerce to officially open the 25th Colorado branch for Bellco at Colfax and I-225, near the Anschutz Medical Campus.

President/CEO Sue DeStephano and Community Engagement Officer, Lisa Barshinger, of the $200 million First Capital Federal Credit Union in York, Penn., present a check for $550 to the Salvation Army of York’s Major Dennis Camuti, corps officer and area coordinator. The money was raised through the credit union’s First Cap Gives Back program. For 2018, the credit union picked four charities to support, one per quarter, and the Salvation Army of York was chosen as the 2nd Quarter charity. To raise money, staff sold peanut butter and coconut Easter eggs to members at all of the credit union’s branches. Employees paid $5 to wear jeans on a specific day, and sponsored a table at the Boots and Bags event.

Winners of the 2018 Municipal Credit Union Memorial Scholarship Program Grace McGrath, Ashley Fils-Aime, Brendan O’Sullivan, Maxine Smith, Jared Rios, Kaitlin Connelly, Nicholas Chin, and Jeffrey Li attend a special reception held at the MCU Corporate Office on May 23, 2018. This year, the $2.6 billion Municipal Credit Union in New York, N.Y., awarded a total of $71,000 in scholarships to college-bound graduating high school seniors: Nine memorial scholarship grants of $5,000 each and 13 grants of $2,000 each. MCU Board Chair James Durrah and Acting President/CEO Norman Kohn presented the scholarships to the recipients at a special reception at MCU’s headquarters on May 23. Scholarship winners were selected based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service and involvement, letters of recommendation, and an essay expressing personal goals.

SVP and Chief Marketing Officer Michelle Silveira for the $1.3 billion Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union in Lowell, Mass., accepts the Greater Lowell Family YMCA’s “Jonesy Award” in recognition of her contributions as a YMCA Board Member. The YMCA instituted the award in 2017 in memory of Steve Jones. Jones was a dedicated board member and supporter of the Greater Lowell Family YMCA, and was well known for his community involvement throughout the entire Merrimack Valley area. He was also a 20-year member of the Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union team, serving as the vice president of Community Development.

President/CEO David Sprague of the $1.2 billion Hanscom Federal Credit Union in Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., stands with three Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Award recipients at Bedford High School on May 15, 2018, after presenting the students with awards. Cadet Lt. Colonel Daniel Smith of Billerica, Mass., received the John F. Condon Scholarship, an award based on academic record, extracurricular activities and an essay. The scholarship is named after a former Hanscom FCU board member who made significant contributions to the credit union’s success during his 26 years of volunteerism. The Color Guard Scholarship was awarded to Cadet Col. Alexander Horton, the program’s outgoing group commander. Cadet Col. Antranig Douglas, the incoming group commander, received a commendation from Sprague for his outstanding performance of the National Anthem at Hanscom FCU’s Annual Meeting on May 5, 2018.

President/CEO James Schenck (center) of the $23 billion Pentagon Federal Credit Union based in Tyson’s Corner, Va., pictured with Alexandria, Va., Mayor Allison Silberberg (left), accepts the 2018 Large Business Philanthropist of the Year Award from Volunteer Alexandria Executive Director Marion Brunken (right) at Volunteer Alexandria’s 20th Business Philanthropy Summit. The annual event recognizes businesses supporting charitable organizations, outreach and events throughout the region. Schenck shares the award with PenFed Credit Union and the PenFed Foundation in recognition of their combined support and volunteer efforts in the Greater Washington area. The annual Business Philanthropy Summit, held at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, was established to promote the businesses, nonprofits and government entities working together with residents of Alexandria to increase community wellbeing.