Saving Animals, Feeding Kids & Beautifying Homes: Community News

Cameron Dickey, president/CEO of the $252 million Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union in Houston, Texas, gives car keys to teacher and raffle winner Lashe Fleming of André Elementary School during the Cy-Fair Education Foundation’s annual Salute to the Stars gala. The gala honors Cy-Fair Independent School District educators and recognizes the top teachers, para-educators and support personnel from across the district. CFISD principals selected 95 Teacher of the Year Honorees for their outstanding dedication to students and notable work in the district. During the gala, all honorees were entered into Cy-Fair FCU’s New Car Giveaway; Fleming won a new Kia Rio.

Volunteers from the $766 million American First Credit Union in Brea, Calif., pose for a photo while beautifying one of four Boys & Girls Clubs of Fullerton sites as part of the credit union’s Community Day efforts. American First sought to partner with a local organization to carry on the credit union’s legacy of people helping people. With a group of 100 volunteers working together for one cause, American First associates fanned out across four sites to paint walls, window trims and doors; rake leaves; plant succulents; scrub dirty rails, walls and furniture; build and organize cabinets, shelves and desks; and more.

Candice Greene (left), community relations representative from the $353 million GCS Credit Union in Granite City, Ill., and Lacy Pearson, business development representative, pose with a furry friend. GCS employees joined together to raise $1,055 in the month of October to benefit Belleville Area Humane Society. The money was raised by GCS employees who participated in jeans days. In exchange for a donation of $15 or more, employees could wear jeans on Fridays and Saturdays during October. Belleville Area Humane Society’s mission is to improve the lives of homeless animals in the community through adoption, humane education and community outreach. This is a limited admission shelter, meaning it takes in adoptable animals and never euthanizes for shelter space. The shelter holds about 35 dogs and 30 cats and has nearly 600 adoptions a year. Belleville Area Humane Society does not receive government support and is 100% funded by donations.

American Cancer Society Relay for Life participants pose for a photo at Hale Halawai in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Through heartfelt efforts to support the community and raise money for cancer research, the Kailua-Kona, Kaloko and Kealakekua branches from the $540 million Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union in Kailua-Kona donated more than $9,500 to the 2019 American Cancer Society Relay for Life – Kona event. The money was raised through in-branch ribbon sales, staff donations and fundraisers. Hawaii Community staff also sold ooey gooey slime during the relay, which was a huge hit with kids.

The $1.8 billion American Eagle Financial Credit Union in East Hartford, Conn., provided a $5,000 grant to the New Covenant United Methodist Church and East Hartford Public Schools Back-Packers Food Program. Pictured with backpacks filled with donated food are, from left to right, Cheryl Ross, branch manager for American Eagle Financial; Shirley Harrison, caterer for Sodexo Food Service; Shari Staeb, general manager for Sodexo Food Service; and Vanessa Hernandez Rivera, kitchen manager for Sodexo Food Service. The grant was made through the credit union’s Donor Advised Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. The Back-Packers Food Program started in 2006 and currently serves about 50 children per week across the 15 public schools in East Hartford. The program is a collaboration among the East Hartford Public Schools, Sodexo Food Service, NCUMC and Foodshare. The grant from American Eagle Financial will cover approximately 85% of the cost to purchase food for one year of the program.

Employees from the $2.7 billion Robins Financial Credit Union in Warner Robins, Ga., volunteer at First United Methodist’s food pantry. Robins Financial staff celebrated International Credit Union Day by embodying the credit union philosophy of people helping people. In addition to the volunteer efforts, all branch locations celebrated by offering giveaways, prize drawings, and some lucky members even won cash on the prize wheel.

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