WEST HAVEN, Utah–America First Credit Union “strolled in support” of cancer awareness alongside West Haven Elementary at the West Haven Elementary Hawk Walk.
Marking a 10-year celebratory milestone of the walk’s inception, West Haven students and teachers successfully reached their goal and raised a total of $10,000, including America First’s contribution of nearly $6,000. Since its inception in 2007, the Hawk Walk, hosted by West Haven students, has raised nearly $60,000 for the American Cancer Society.
More than 500 students, parents and teachers participated in the Hawk Walk and the America First Credit Union Utah Jazz dancers and Jazz Bear joined in the fun and cheered on walkers. The event was designed to encourage students and individuals to learn the principle of generosity.
The Hawk Walk began in 2007 when then West Haven sixth grader, Garrett Gallegos, and his mother, Tammy, who is a Senior Vice President at America First, walked together in a Relay-for-Life. Gallegos asked if they could start a similar effort at his school to help his teacher who had two sons diagnosed with cancer. Things snowballed from there as other students wanted to lend support and raise funds for the cancer society. That first year, West Haven fifth and sixth graders held the first mini Relay-For-Life Hawk Walk.
At right, America First Credit Union Community Outreach Administrator, Keicha Christiansen, presents representatives from the American Cancer Society with a $5,996.70 check from efforts raised from the 10th annual Hawk Walk at West Haven Elementary on Friday, May 20. Below, America First Credit Union Senior Vice President, Kent Streuling, stands alongside America First employees, the America First Credit Union Utah Jazz dancers
Separately, America First Credit Union has joined in the growth in West Point City with the opening of its newest branch location inside Smith’s Marketplace in West Point, Utah. As part of the first commercial retail center in the city, the Smith’s Marketplace will anchor a 19.4-acre commercial development named “The Point,” paving the way for additional jobs in the community.
The branch location marks the fifth branch opening of 2016, on the heels of the Jeremy Ranch branch opening in Park City, Utah on May 31. America First has 117 branch locations serving Utah and Nevada. Amanda Thornton will serve as branch manager of West Point Smith’s Marketplace. An employee of America First since 2006, Thornton worked her way up through various roles within the credit union, including lead teller, assistant manager, market assistant manager, then service center manager.