AmeriCU
Team members from the $2.6 billion, Rome, N.Y.-based AmeriCU's Liverpool Financial Center in Liverpool, N.Y., gear up for the credit union's month-long American Heart Association campaign. During the month of February, members can participate in the AHA's Have a Heart campaign by stopping by any AmeriCU branch to purchase a red heart to raise awareness for heart health in their communities. The money raised will go toward life-saving research that ensures everyone has an opportunity to enjoy a healthy life free from heart disease and stroke.
First Financial FCU Andrea Rapp (right), relationship marketing manager for the $1.2 billion, Sparks, Md.-based First Financial Federal Credit Union, presents a check to Carroll Community College Foundation Executive Director Steven L. Wantz. FFFCU recently pledged $100,000 over a five-year period to the Foundation, with plans to donate $20,000 each year through the 2027-28 school year. Proceeds will benefit the Foundation's athletic program, new start program and student emergency assistance fund. In addition, the credit union donated $10,000 to the non-profit Carroll County Food Sunday and $5,000 to its partner of 32 years, Carroll County Public Schools.
Neighborhood CU Sharon Garfield, a 10-year member of the $1 billion, Dallas, Texas-based Neighborhood Credit Union, receives a surprise $49,999.99 reward for her good savings habits after being chosen as the credit union's 2023 Prize Savings Account grand prize winner. Throughout the year, Prize Savings Account holders receive one drawing entry for every $25 monthly average balance in their account. They are then eligible for weekly drawings, culminating with the annual grand prize, which is drawn each Jan. 1 based on the average monthly balance in their account at the close of the business day on Dec. 31.
RTN FCU Michael Menas, branch manager for the $1 billion, Waltham, Mass.-based RTN Federal Credit Union, displays handmade donated blankets. RTN recently donated dozens of handmade blankets, as well as $250 toward the purchase of blankets, clothing and pajamas, to the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless' A Bed for Every Child Program. The effort was part of the Gift of Warmth Blanket and Clothing Drive that is coordinated each winter by the Cooperative Credit Union Association. The blankets for infants and children were knitted by volunteers from Blankets 4 Kids, a knitting, quilting and sewing group from the Amesbury Senior Community Center in Amesbury, Mass., specifically for the annual drive.
SAFE CU Two residents of Sacramento Cottage Housing Inc. in Sacramento, Calif., show off their artwork. The $4.5 billion, Folsom, Calif.-based SAFE Credit Union recently awarded a $5,000 grant to Cottage Housing to fund new educational courses for its formerly homeless clients so they can learn important life and financial skills. The grant was awarded through the credit union's Community Sustainability Grant Program, and in December, SAFE invited the community to choose two grant recipients offering education programs that address inequities. Voters chose Cottage Housing and the Construction Industry Education Foundation to each receive $5,000 grants. (Photo: Sacramento Cottage Housing Inc.)
SeaComm FCU Last November, the $775 million, Massena, N.Y.-based SeaComm Federal Credit Union pledged $50,000 to help members in need with home heating costs. Members applied for the grant online, in branches and via mail through Jan. 6, and after nearly 1,000 applications were submitted, SeaComm's Winter Fuel Grant Committee carefully selected 100 members to receive fuel grants worth $500 each. Once selected, the recipients were notified, and the funds were distributed to local fuel providers for credit to their account. Pictured from left to right are Dealer Relationship Manager Danielle Uppstrom, Mortgage Manager Tara Cusworth, President/CEO Scott A. Wilson and Loan Operations Representative Chandler LaPlante, all with SeaComm.
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Natasha Chilingerian
Natasha Chilingerian has been immersed in the credit union industry for over a decade. She first joined CU Times in 2011 as a freelance writer, and following a two-year hiatus from 2013-2015, during which time she served as a communications specialist for Xceed Financial Credit Union (now Kinecta Federal Credit Union), she re-joined the CU Times team full-time as managing editor. She was promoted to executive editor in 2019. In the earlier days of her career, Chilingerian focused on news and lifestyle journalism, serving as a writer and editor for numerous regional publications in Oregon, Louisiana, South Carolina and the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, she holds experience in marketing copywriting for companies in the finance and technology space. At CU Times, she covers People and Community news, cybersecurity, fintech partnerships, marketing, workplace culture, leadership, DEI, branch strategies, digital banking and more. She currently works remotely and splits her time between Southern California and Portland, Ore.
