CUs Support Students, Animals, Veterans & Hospitals
See how seven credit unions are doing good in their communities.
The $200 million JetStream Federal Credit Union in Miami Lakes, Fla., welcomes three high school students from the Future Bankers’ Camp program for the 2018 summer season. The Future Bankers’ Camp is a program for high school students within Miami-Dade County who desire to obtain employment within the financial services industry. Every year, JetStream hosts students from this program by providing hands-on training in various departments, including lending, accounting, member care, human resources and training. By the conclusion of their internship, students have gained experiential knowledge within their chosen financial service specialty.
Some members of Holt High School’s five bands accept a $1,000 donation from the $670 million LAFCU in Lansing, Mich., on behalf of the school’s band program on May 2. This is the ninth year LAFCU has made a donation to a local high school band in fulfillment of the credit union’s entertainment sponsorship for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner. Michael Emerson, Holt High School director of bands, plans to use the unexpected funds to bring in a professional quintet for an educational performance and a master class, to purchase new music, and, if possible, an instrument or two.
The $4.5 billion Desert Financial Credit Union in Phoenix, Ariz., awards 10 high school seniors Desert Financial Community Service Scholarships. The high school seniors were presented with scholarships for their stellar academic achievement and commitment to community service totaling $37,500. In order to be considered for one of the Desert Financial Community Service Scholarships, the recipients were required to demonstrate a strong record of volunteer efforts in their communities, while concurrently maintaining exceptional grades in high school. For more than a decade Desert Financial has awarded seven local students with scholarships, however, this year there were 10 standout scholars who received scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $10,000.
The Security Service Charitable Foundation, the charitable arm of the $9.5 billion Security Service Federal Credit Union in San Antonio, Texas, presents the El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation with a $10,000 donation to be used for the purchase of three blood gas analyzers. EPCH is faced with aging blood gas analyzers, which are used to perform the analysis of the patient’s blood and are critically important for high quality patient care. EPCH is the only freestanding, licensed pediatric hospital in a 250-mile radius and serves a region categorized by the federal government as a medically underserved area and a health professional shortage area. Their facility features 122 beds, the majority dedicated to critical care, which positions the hospital to be the premier facility for specialized pediatric care in the region.
The $405 million Nassau Financial Federal Credit Union in Westbury, N.Y., awards $8,000 in college scholarships to four high school seniors to help finance their college education. Pictured with Nassau Financial President/CEO John T. DeCelle are Nassau Financial scholarship winners and their families. The student members of Nassau Financial were chosen based on their outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements. Nassau Financial hosted a reception for the scholarship winners and their families.
The $2.6 billion United Federal Credit Union in St. Joseph, Mich., presents a $1,000 check to Paws of Hope on July 5 at the organization’s monthly volunteer meeting. This donation will help Paws of Hope in its mission to make happy adoption connections on behalf of animals in need across the Berrien County community. The $1,000 donation came from a 24-hour promotion to support local animals in need held by Paw Mart in St. Joseph and United Federal. Ten percent of all pet food purchases at Paw Mart was matched by UFCU and given to Paws of Hope, an all-volunteer animal rescue group dedicated to aiding and facilitating animal adoption.
A team member from the $1.3 billion Altura Credit Union in Riverside, Calif., rappels down the side of Riverside City Hall to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity’s local programs for military vets and their families. As part of a recent Habitat for Humanity fundraiser, four members of Altura’s leadership team literally went “over the edge” of Riverside City Hall, rappelling down the 123-foot building to raise funds for programs that serve local military veterans and their families. About 60 people took part in the third annual event, including local city officials, as well as civic and business leaders. This year, Team Altura included Eugene Kim from the board of directors, Chief Lending Officer David Constantino, Assistant Branch Manager Cristina Sanchez and Member Service Representative Christopher Rolston. Altura was also a gear sponsor. In addition to the $1,000 each participant must pledge, participants’ organizations often solicit funds from employees and customers; other funding comes from corporate sponsors. Last year’s event raised nearly $90,000.
Please send your Community news items to Tahira Hayes at thayes@cutimes.com.