CUs Donate Computers, Raise Funds for CMN & Provide Financial Education

The $332 million, Billings, Mont.-based Valley Credit Union donated a Ford F-150 to ZooMontana after a break-in and robbery at the zoo. During the late business hours on July 10, an unidentified individual entered ZooMontana, a nonprofit organization in Billings, waiting until after hours to break into and hide in a zoo vehicle. The suspect hotwired the vehicle and made their escape by driving through the zoo’s security gate. This impact disabled the vehicle several miles down the road. The vehicle was damaged beyond repair, causing the loss of a crucial piece of equipment for the zoo. The donated Ford F-150 will allow ZooMontana’s staff to properly and efficiently care for the animals and grounds. Pictured from left to right are Matt Macrow and Brandon Scala of Valley CU, Jessica Hart and Jeff Ewelt of ZooMontana, and Darla Card of Valley CU.

Amy Mallinson (left), vice president of marketing for the $102 million, Virginia Beach, Va.-based Virginia Beach Schools Federal Credit Union, and Aleena Licorish, technology specialist for VBSFCU, deliver 20 computers and components to the Advanced Technology Center’s Cybersecurity Systems Technology (CST) class for use in the Virginia Student Training and Refurbishment Program in partnership with the Virginia Beach Education Foundation on Sept. 23. CST students apply their skills in repairing computers for needy families.

On Sept. 16, Debra Schwartz (right), board chair for Junior Achievement of San Diego and president/CEO for Mission Federal Credit Union ($4.48 billion, San Diego), presents Junior Achievement of San Diego President/CEO Sidd Vivek with a $1,675 donation as part of the “JA Way to Save” program from the school year that ended in July. Mission Fed offers the JA Way to Save promotion to all JA Finance Park student attendees who have completed the financial literacy course offered through the Mission Fed JA Finance Park. Students who take advantage of the JA Way to Save offer for new membership receive a $50 gift card for opening a checking or savings account to help continue their financial soundness. As a bonus, for each JA Way to Save new member, Mission Fed donates $25 to JA to help future students take advantage of the JA Finance Park programs.

Terrie Morgan, superintendent of Hardin County Schools in Kentucky (center) stands for a photo with two students who completed Abound Credit Union’s financial education program. Fifth grade students at all 13 public elementary schools in Hardin County will begin the $1.8 billion, Radcliff, Ky.-based Abound’s financial education program this fall. During the 2019-2020 school year, three Hardin County Schools successfully participated in the program. Abound’s program leverages technology and performance-based games to immerse students in real-life financial scenarios – a useful and relevant method of teaching during the transition to non-traditional instruction that began last spring and the current hybrid schedule. The program will be offered on Wednesdays as part of Hardin County Schools’ instructional enrichment and enhancement activities during nine weeks beginning Oct. 13.

Employees from the $750.8 million, North Haven, Conn.-based Connex Credit Union’s North Haven branch are joined by President/CEO Frank Mancini (back row, third from left) and EVP and COO Carl Casper (back row, far right) in wearing jeans to work as part of a special fundraising campaign that resulted in Connex donating $2,334 to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, Conn. Over the last month, Connex collected donations from its employees and members of the community in support of Miracle Jeans Day, a national promotion run by Credit Unions for Kids that helps fund cutting-edge research and innovative technology for hospitals in the Children’s Miracle Network. The credit union matched the first $1,000 in donations and permitted employees who contributed $15 or more to wear jeans to work on Sept. 9.

Representing platinum sponsor Glenn Development, golfers (from left to right) Edward Davies, Dick Talton, Tom Davies and Jeff Davies line up their shots at the Langley for Families Foundation’s Sixth Annual Charity Golf Classic on Sept. 29 at the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club in Williamsburg, Va. Despite challenges related to COVID-19 and inclement weather, the event raised $380,000 in gross proceeds, the highest in its history. Tournament staff implemented several changes to accommodate social distancing and safety measures, including individual golf carts and pre-packaged meals. Jay Colley, voice of William & Mary’s Tribe basketball and football, emceed the event and kicked off the day with a closest to the pin shoot out. At noon, 84 golfers took off to enjoy the course before the rain began. Net proceeds from the event will be granted in October to charities that applied online at langleyforfamilies.org. The $3.4 billion, Newport News, Va.-based Langley Federal Credit Union launched the Langley for Families Foundation in 2014 to support causes and charities benefiting children and families.

Please send your Community news items to Natasha Chilingerian at nchilingerian@cutimes.com.