Kansas United hands out $25.
WICHITA, Kans.—More than 1,200 Kansans last week were on the receiving end of the latest “Make a Difference” event coordinated by 19 CUs in Kansas and the Kansas CU Association.
Credit unions surprised consumers in their communities by giving away cash, gift cards or free gas in 18 Kansas locations including Arkansas City, Atchison, Augusta, Blue Rapids, Clay Center, Derby, El Dorado, Emporia, Hanover, Lawrence, Marysville, Ness City, Newton, Oberlin, Topeka, Wichita, Winfield, and Waterville. Some communities had multiple locations.
“Credit unions exist to serve their members and their local communities,” said Susan Dyer, Communications Director for the Kansas Credit Union Association, in a statement. “This event is just one way to show the philosophy of ‘people helping people, and show the value of credit unions as not-for-profit financial institutions.”
Some $32,000 was given away at events that were held throughout the day, with the first beginning at 7:00 a.m., and the last beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Last week marked the sixth time Kansas’ CUs have celebrated Make a Difference Day.
Participating credit unions included:
- Ark Valley Credit Union
- C & R Credit Union
- Credit Union of America
- Educational Credit Union
- Emporia State Federal Credit Union
- Mainstreet Credit Union
- Meritrust Credit Union
- Mid American Credit Union
- New Century Credit Union
- Quest Credit Union
- River Cities Community Credit Union
- Skyward Credit Union
- Sunflower U.P. Federal Credit Union
- TECU Credit Union
- United Credit Union
- United Northwest Federal Credit Union
- Wheat State Credit Union (formerly Medical Community Credit Union)
- White Eagle Credit Union
- Wichita Federal Credit Union
Representatives from the participating credit unions volunteer and coordinate their respective locations for the event.
Each event was a surprise, with the locations announced via Twitter and Facebook the day of the event.
The KCUA reported the events have grown in participation are held in May and October of each year. The first event in 2012 included nine credit unions in six locations. Last week’s event included 19 credit unions in 18 locations. In all, Kansas credit unions have given away $118,000 through these events.
Alex from TECU pumps gas.
Kansas WECU CEO Rick Blue with winner.