CU Employees Put On Their Volunteering Hats to Make a Difference in Communities

Volunteers from the $4.3 billion, Auburn Hills, Mich.-based Genisys Credit Union reveal the results of their recent trash and debris collection effort. Over two days in 10 Michigan and Minnesota communities, more than 70 Genisys employees, friends and family members put on their work gloves and volunteered to clean up waterways and parks. Four of the parks were cleaned in partnership with the Clinton River Watershed Council as part of “Clinton Clean-Up” –  an annual initiative that aims to improve the health of the watershed through trash cleanups that promote preservation. The credit union also partnered with the City of Vassar, Waterford Parks and Rec, City of Clio, City of Fenton, City of Grand Blanc, City of Lakeville, Minn., and City of Roseville, Minn., for its clean-up efforts. All projects were completed as part of CU Kind, a Michigan Credit Union League movement that showcases the credit union difference by giving back to members, communities and beyond through harnessing the collective power of kindness to create a positive change.

The $8.3 billion, Harrisburg, Penn.-based PSECU recently donated $50,000 in support of the Red Cross’s ongoing efforts to provide Hurricane Ian disaster relief efforts in Florida. Pictured from left to right are PSECU Chief Member Experience Officer Barb Bowker and Laura Burke, executive director for the Central Pennsylvania Region of the American Red Cross.

Twenty-five Evergreen Credit Union employees help clear trails at the Mill Brook Preserve in Windham, Maine on Oct. 10. The $494 million, Portland, Maine-based Evergreen recognized Indigenous Peoples Day by volunteering in three of Maine’s Cumberland County communities. Taking shovels and saws in hand, employees helped clear trails at Blue Point Preserve, part of the Scarborough Land Trust, and Mill Brook Preserve, managed by the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust in Windham. A third group dedicated time and energy to the South Portland Food Cupboard in South Portland, Maine.

Nusenda Credit Union employees take a break from volunteer work on Oct. 10. More than 350 employees of the $3.9 billion, Albuquerque, N.M.-based Nusenda put in over 1,400 hours of volunteering on the credit union’s sixth annual Community Day, taking care of New Mexico’s outdoors through environmental and wildlife projects. Nusenda partnered with 12 local organizations to complete projects in eight of the state’s counties.

The $4.1 billion, Westbury, N.Y.-based Jovia Financial Credit Union recently entered into a strategic partnership with the Long Island Nets (LI Nets), an NBA G League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets. They recently hosted a school supply drive at Milton Olive Elementary School in Wyandanch, N.Y., and California Ave. Elementary School in Uniondale, N.Y., to provide underserved students on Long Island with new backpacks and other essential school supplies. Jovia had set up donation boxes at seven of its branches, where it accepted school supply donations. As part of the partnership, the LI Nets and Jovia will also team up to host financial literacy seminars for middle school students on Long Island this school year. Additionally, Jovia will become the supporting sponsor of the LI Nets’ Team Up For Unity program, which is dedicated to eliminating racism in high school sports on Long Island, and educating youth and school faculty on how to recognize and address these situations. Jovia will also support the LI Nets’ Education Day Game on March 7, 2023, and throughout this season will work with the team to incorporate STEM education and learning into the fan experience during LI Nets home games at Nassau Coliseum. Pictured from left to right are Chaka Adams, vice president of marketing and community relations for Jovia; Alton Byrd, SVP of growth properties – BSE Global for the LI Nets; LI Nets Mascot Dale the Eagle; Ashley Krack, business process analyst for Jovia; Rich Tavarez, community relations officer for Jovia and Raymond Schwetz, assistant vice president of business services for Jovia.

SAFE Credit Union human resources team members paint the Crooked Mile at Fairytale Town in Sacramento’s Land Park during the credit union’s Building CommYOUnity Month. They represented just a fraction of the $4.3 billion, Folsom, Calif.-based SAFE’s 750 employees who participated in community giving activities throughout September; other activities included making dog toys out of old T-shirts; hosting birthday parties for children in VOA homeless shelters; putting together bags for families with kids facing cancer; sorting food at regional food banks; creating kitchen kits for refugees new to the Sacramento region and writing letters to those in hospice. SAFE launched its Building CommYOUnity Week two years ago, but this year decided to extend it to a full month to make a bigger impact in the community.

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