CUs Donate Funds to Animal Rescue & Educational Organizations

Employees from the $354 million Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union in Alpena, Mich., pose for a picture during the Teen Financial Reality Fair for seniors at Oscoda, Mich., area schools. During the event, credit union team members and community volunteers helped prepare students for life after school by having students visit various lifestyle stations and making decisions on things they would need to budget for as an independent adult such as housing, transportation and food packages. Alpena Alcona Area partnered with the Michigan Credit Union League to host the fair.

Scott Woods, president/CEO for the $1.8 billion South Carolina Federal Credit Union in North Charleston, S.C., and former Board Chairman Mary L. Whited pose with this year’s scholarship winners. South Carolina FCU awarded $50,000 in scholarships to students attending colleges in South Carolina this fall. Scholarships, ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, were awarded to 12 students, six of whom are attending traditional colleges and universities and six who are attending technical schools. Applicants were evaluated based on their grade point average, volunteer experience and recommendation letters. All applicants also submitted an essay on how they plan to use their education to do more together in the state of South Carolina.

Members of the Needy Paws rescue team take a moment out of their annual 6k fundraising run to pose for a photo with rescue dog Clover. To celebrate St. Louis, Mo.’s annual Give STL Day, the $2.6 billion First Community Credit Union in Chesterfield, Mo., donated $1,000 to local animal rescue organization Needy Paws. Give STL Day occurs every year on May 1. St. Louis residents and surrounding metro area residents are encouraged to support a local community organization through their online giving platform. First Community got a jump start on raising money by involving its social media followers back in March during National Pet Weekend. They encouraged followers to share a photo of their pet, with the goal of reaching 300 photos. They reached that goal in a day and half.

Board Chair Bob Brinson of the SECU Foundation, the charitable arm of the $40 billion State Employees’ Credit Union in Raleigh, N.C., presents a $200,000 ceremonial donation to university officials during a recent event. The SECU Foundation teamed up with North Carolina State University College of Education and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Education to fund the expansion of Pathway to Practice NC, an innovative program that addresses North Carolina’s teacher shortage. The program is an online, competency-based program designed for lateral entry teachers and a state-approved Educator Preparation Program offered jointly by the two universities. A $200,000 investment from the foundation will assist with the development of content specific competencies and modules for individuals with a residency license to earn their dual teaching certifications in elementary and special education. The grant will also provide funding for 10 $5,000 scholarships to help increase program enrollment.

Participants get out on the field with New England Patriots alumni players at the Cushing Athletic Complex at the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2018 during “Football For You,” a football clinic sponsored by the $1.4 billion Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union in Lowell, Mass. Throughout the month of June, children in the Lowell, Lawrence, Mass., and Nashua, N.H., areas will join New England Patriots Alumni players on the field during the one-day football clinic. The non-contact clinic is coached by New England Patriots Alumni players and is free of charge to boys and girls, ages nine to 14, of all skill levels.

Employees from the $1.8 billion American Eagle Financial Credit Union in East Hartford, Conn., celebrate the opening of their Avon office by giving back. As part of the ribbon-cutting festivities, American Eagle announced donations totaling $12,000 to six Avon nonprofit agencies. The donations were announced by American Eagle President/CEO Dean Marchessault (left). Joining him are representatives of the six honored nonprofits, from left, Alan Rosenberg, director of Town of Avon, social services; Terri Wilson, president of the Avon Historical Society; Martha Rennie, director of development for the Bridge Family Center; Glenn Grube, director of the Avon Public Library; Susan Pribyson, executive director of Gifts of Love; and Carol Kaplan, executive director of the Farmington Valley Arts Center. Joining them at right is American Eagle Avon Branch Manager Andrew White.

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