Goat Yoga, Golf & Disneyland Walkers: Community News

Members and associates from the $1.6 billion Santa Ana, Calif.-based Orange County’s Credit Union pose for a photo for this year’s CHOC Walk in the Park presented by the Disneyland Resort on Aug. 11. The event kicked off with more than 14,000 walkers gathering at Main Street, U.S.A for an opening ceremony, which included favorite Disney characters cheering people along throughout the course in both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Parks. This year, the credit union set a goal to raise $35,000 for CHOC Children’s Hospital and surpassed it by more than $9,000. The credit union started fundraising efforts earlier this year by raising more than $4,500 at its Shred Days, where members could safely dispose of sensitive, personal information and electronics. Associates hosted various fundraisers, including raffles, give-back days at local restaurants and associate luncheons. Members also contributed to the credit union’s fundraising goal by purchasing CHOC Children’s icons and CHOCO plush bears at local credit union branches.

The $725 million, Los Angeles, Calif.-based University Credit Union brings the fun with goat yoga. University CU’s engagement team brought fun and goats to UCLA’s 15th Annual All Staff Picnic hosted by the UCLA Staff Assembly. The hardworking university staff got to relax while getting some Instagram-worthy pics at University CU’s booth. The staff was invited to give goat yoga a try while receiving a complimentary photo of their efforts. Once the picnic festivities wrapped up, the goats headed to University CU’s headquarters, where credit union employees were invited to try goat yoga.

Employees from the $4.9 billion Desert Financial Credit Union in Phoenix, Ariz., pose with supplies generated for back-to-school drives. The month-long, city-wide drive included branch and headquarters involvement, generated 700 backpacks with supplies for students and 200 classroom supply sets for teachers, and supported more than 55 schools supported in all.

Caren Gabriel (middle), president/CEO for the $2.5 billion, Tullahoma, Tenn.-based Ascend Federal Credit Union, and Anthony Taylor (right), board chairman for Ascend, present a $10,000 donation to Fred Robinson (left), president/CEO of the Tennessee Credit Union League. This represents the first donation from the charitable donation account, which was established by credit union’s board of directors. The CDA is an investment vehicle through which the NCUA allows purchases of investments for the primary purpose of generating additional funds in support of charitable endeavors.

Major Kristen Cepak holds the commemorative baseball bat presented to her by the Lowell Spinners at LeLacheur Park in Lowell, Mass., on Sept. 5. The $1.4 billion Hanscom Federal Credit Union in Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., named Cepak as its final Heroes Among Us honoree of 2019. Cepak was able to meet with the players, throw out the first pitch of the game, enjoy a late summer meal from Home Plate BBQ and watch the Spinners play from a private suite with friends and family. Cepak’s military career began in college, where she was a member of the Boston University Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. While still in school, she was selected for pilot training school, and upon graduation in 2009, Cepak began flying the U-28A Draco. The Draco is a utility craft used to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support to various special operations missions. Cepak has clocked more than 2,200 flying hours, including more than 1,300 hours in combat, and deployed seven times to Afghanistan, Africa and the Philippines. In 2015, Cepak transitioned to acquisitions and currently serves as the branch chief, managing the procurement and sustainment of air traffic control towers in the United States and abroad. She is a consummate professional and true leader, keeping her direct reports and other colleagues focused and motivated.

Employees from the $125 million ACT 1st Federal Credit Union in LaVale, Md., present a $4,000 check to Convoy for Kids, a group that helps local, sick kids and their families. The credit union raised the funds from its First Annual Golf Tournament held on Aug. 24.

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