Good Deeds Abound at Trumark Financial, RTN CU, PenFed

A Red Cross blood drive truck sits in the parking lot at the $2.1 billion TruMark Financial Credit Union in Fort Washington, Penn. Trumark Financial sponsored the blood drive to support the American Red Cross. Twenty-two pints of blood were donated during the blood drive, which has the potential of saving more than 66 lives. According to the Red Cross, the summer months are among the most challenging times of the year for blood and platelet donations as regular donors delay giving while they vacation and participate in summer activities. The credit union holds three blood drives annually as part of its community outreach program.

RTN Good Deed Seat winners enjoy a baseball game. Through this community project with the Bravehearts, the $905 million RTN Credit Union in Waltham, Mass., is honoring community contacts, partners, members and volunteers because of their good deeds by inviting them to attend a Worcester Bravehearts game. Attendees get four tickets for a given night depending on availability. RTN is mentioned at the game as a Good Deed Sponsor, and the Good Deed Seats winners are recognized. The Worcester Bravehearts are a summer collegiate baseball team in Worcester that plays in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League of New England. The team’s home games are played at Fitton Field in Worcester. To date, 10 people have attended a Bravehearts game and have been recognized for going out of their way to do something nice or help someone else.

The $23.3 billion Pentagon Federal Credit Union in Tysons, Va., launches a new program in partnership with Canine Companions for Independence and welcomes two puppies, Admiral III and Clint III, as assistance dogs in training. From left to right are Clint III, Emma Phillips, Lisa Jennings, Admiral III and Debra Dougherty from Canine Companions for Independence. The new partnership kicked off at the company’s Tysons Corner headquarters with a welcome party and tour for the new canine members of the PenFed team and was followed by the dogs visiting the company’s Alexandria Service Center location. Admiral will be based in Tysons Corner and Clint in Alexandria, Va. Admiral and Clint are part of a mission to help open doors for people with disabilities to become more independent. PenFed has provided $60,000 in funding to Canine Companions in the last year and is covering all costs associated with the puppies for the two employee volunteer dog raisers.

Employees from two Richland, Wash.-based credit unions – the $1.6 billion HAPO Community Credit Union and the $1.9 billion Gesa Credit Union – partner with Second Harvest Food Bank to sort food in an effort to distribute to local schools and children in need. Both credit unions began accepting food and dollar donations on July 1, with both matching up to $10,000 in monetary donations each. The non-perishable food items will provide nutrition to children in the Tri-City communities. Teaming up with Second Harvest will allow HAPO and Gesa to contribute funds and food to the local community and directly support the mission of Second Harvest, which fights to stop hunger. For every dollar donated, five meals can be made.

The Royal Credit Union Foundation, the charitable arm of the $2.2 billion Royal Credit Union in Eau Claire, Wis., presents a $34,000 to the Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes for repair projects at Camp Nawakwa. The camp helps provide safe, affordable and inspiring outdoor experiences for girls all year long. Approximately 8,200 Girl Scout members from seven Wisconsin counties use Camp Nawakwa facilities, in addition to many troops that travel from other parts of the state. The foundation’s recent donation will cover the cost of new roofing, gutters, bathroom facilities and a waterfront storage shed.

New homeowners celebrate the closing of their new house. The $223 million North Jersey Federal Credit Union in Totowa, N.J., in collaboration with the National Federation and its Community Development Credit Unions Mortgage Center’s American Dream Loan program, provided the financing for the home purchase. North Jersey FCU belongs to a network of credit unions that exist to serve low- and moderate-income people and communities. The family members are now proud owners of a three-bedroom, two-bath home in Bridgeton, N.J., and the third individual taxpayer identification number loan as result of the cooperative efforts of North Jersey FCU, New Jersey Community Capital and the National Federation’s Mortgage Center.

Ashley Minshew and Shane Reagan from Robins Financial Credit Union in Warner Robins, Ga., present a $7,000 check to Cherished Children Daycare. Robins Financial recently contributed more than $132,000 spread across eight organizations as part of its annual community project. Organizations are selected by a board committee based on their reputation and the work they do for the community.

Please send your Community news items to Tahira Hayes at thayes@cutimes.com.