SEATTLE–Credit unions across the country will be kicking off International Credit Union Week on Monday by taking advantage of the banking holiday and heading into their communities to conduct everything from huge financial literacy initiatives to volunteering at a Ronald McDonald House.
While many CUs give their employees the day off for Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day on Oct. 14, many others are paying staff to give back in their communities. Many of the efforts are tied to International CU Week, with International Credit Union Day on Thursday, Oct. 17.
Among the biggest initiatives in the country is that now staged annually by BECU, which will be holding its Annual Day of Service event. More than 2,000 employees will host financial reality fairs for thousands of students from 18 high schools in Puget Sound and Spokane.
“The goal of the Annual Day of Service is to create realistic financial scenarios for teens in a setting where they receive coaching while navigating the decision-making process to live within the means of their persona,” BECU said. “Students are each assigned a persona and income during these interactive fairs, and challenged to manage their expenses while navigating various spending decisions around transportation, housing, entertainment and more.”
What Other CUs Are Doing
Other CU efforts taking place on Monday will include:
- In La Crosse, Wis., Altra Federal Credit Union will hold its second Altra Gives Back Day involving a variety of community volunteer activities. "Altra strives to make the communities we serve better places to live and one way we achieve that is through employee volunteerism," said Altra President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Koenen. More than 300 local employees and over 100 employees nationwide will volunteer at more than 30 organizations, including food banks, animal shelters as well as outdoor trails to youth centers, nursing homes and perform random acts of kindness.
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Credit unions across Minnesota will be participating in CU Forward Day. Initially created by Affinity Plus FCU as “Plus it Forward Day” in 2013, the idea has continued to grow, with the Minnesota Credit Union Network now coordinating participation. In 2018, Minnesota’s CUs held their second CU FORWARD day and supported community service projects and volunteer opportunities that impacted over 335,000 Minnesotans, according to the MnCUN. Last year more than 49 credit unions participated and even more are expected to participate this year.
- In Tulsa, Okla., Red Crown credit union employees will be volunteering at the Tulsa Ronald McDonald House.
- Denver Community Credit Union in Colorado is again participating in Denver Community Gives, with its employees donating their time at six local nonprofits.
- In Florida, Tampa Bay-area credit unions will be sponsoring the 15th Annual Credit Unions Kids Classic at Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.
