CUs Support Charities, Students & the Environment

2019 Peach State Federal Credit Union scholarship recipients pose for a picture with John Fair, chief of staff for the $517 million Peach State FCU in Lawrenceville, Ga., and Peach State FCU board members Dr. Linda Anderson, Rick Davis and Dr. Keith Everson. The credit union donated $169,000 in scholarships and educational grants. Since 2002, Peach State has awarded almost $1.5 million through its scholarship program to students and career professionals seeking to further their education.

Employees from the $403 million Pelican State Credit Union in Baton Rouge, La., host a free financial wellness workshop called Budgeting for Baby. Guests were treated to dinner, a chance to win a Pack ‘N Play and tips for budgeting with a baby in mind. Two nationally-certified credit counselors gave presentations about expenses that come with a growing family, gifts for kids that are priceless, utilizing your networks and how potty-training children early can save hundreds of dollars.

The $556 million Financial Plus Credit Union in Flint, Mich., awards a $1,500 classroom makeover to Ms. Doyle, a teacher at West Shore Elementary School. Teachers were nominated via submissions on the credit union’s website. Doyle was selected because of her contribution to her community. She partnered with Delivering Hope to bring its food programs to Lake Fenton Schools. She leads and coordinates the volunteers who ensure 48 children at risk of hunger are sent home with food each weekend. She also leads a book drive and book giveaway for Lake Fenton Schools.

Employees from the $4.4 billion Michigan State University Federal Credit Union in East Lansing, Mich., present a $10,624 donation to Child and Family Charities. As part of a year-long charitable giving campaign, employees of Michigan State University FCU raised $42,497 in the first quarter of 2019. The funds were donated to four charities: The Capital Area United Way, Child and Family Charities, Hope Against Trafficking and the Mental Health Foundation’s Be Nice program. Every year, credit union employees select three charities, along with the United Way, to support through charitable giving efforts. Funds are raised through special events and activities including dress down days, raffles, bake sales and more. Money raised each quarter is divided evenly between the four charities and then presented to a representative for each. In the first quarter of 2019, each charity received $10,624 on behalf of the more than 900 credit union employees.

Employees from the $771 million Southland Credit Union in Los Alamitos, Calif., including President/CEO Tom Lent, volunteer to pick up trash in Seal Beach, Calif., on Friday, May 31. Southland CU scheduled several community giveback events this summer, including member appreciation days at each of its branches. Southland CU plans to hold another beach cleanup day in September.

An employee from the $61 million Hudson River Financial Federal Credit Union in Mohegan Lake, N.Y., awards two $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors, Vanessa Deleg of Yorktown, N.Y., and Sarah Hayes of Pearl River, N.Y. The scholarships are part of The Harold Gloff Scholarship Program, which Hudson River Financial runs annually for graduating high school seniors. Winners are selected based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, teacher references and an essay discussing how the scholarship will help them achieve their educational goals. The program was named after Harold Gloff, a long-time credit union board member and manager, who was also an advocate for education and its positive impact on the youth of the community.

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