ROANOKE, Va.–Member One FCU celebrated the holiday season by sponsoring and participating in three area Christmas parades throughout its member service areas.
The Vinton Christmas Parade kicked things off on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at 7 pm in Downtown Vinton, Va. Member One has a long-standing relationship with the Vinton Chamber of Commerce, who hosts the parade each year. Member One FCU’s Vinton Retail Center were amongst hundreds who turned out, lining the street to watch the participants, dancers and marching bands celebrate the season.
The second parade Member One participated in was the Salem, Va. Christmas parade on Friday, December 4, 2015. The Salem Retail Center participated in this annual parade. Before the parade, people gathered at the Salem Farmer’s Market for the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Local High School & Middle School bands, floats, antique cars, children's groups and representation by local businesses were amongst some of the other participants.
The final parade Member One participated in was Franklin County Christmas parade in Rocky Mount, Va. on Sunday, December 6, 2015. Member One’s Westlake and Rocky Mount Retail Centers participated in this annual parade that marched through downtown Rocky Mount. They were joined by Junior ROTC color guard, FCHS Marching Band and parade floats through the town.
Member One’s very own mascot, Filbert was also present in all three parades, showing his holiday spirit.
Participation in the area parades are a great way for the community to come together and gives Member One employees the opportunity to show support of community leaders, residents, businesses and schools during the holiday
Separately, for the second year in a row, Member One FCU provided support for a coat and shoe drive for the children in the Community Youth Program (CYP) at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Roanoke, Va.
Member One provided funding for CYP students to purchase coats or shoes for the winter season. Many students are from refugee or immigrant families and they’re often unprepared for the cooler climate. Volunteers and staff from CYP took a bus of students to Burlington Coat Factory in Roanoke to pick out their items.
“I think it gives them a sense of choice that many kids this age don’t always get. We also work with them on how to interact with sales staff at the store and the best way to select items that fit,” Maggie Rhodes, Program Coordinator at CYP said.
This year Member One FCU provided a generous showing of volunteers, bringing the CYP community and the greater Roanoke community together in a very special way during the holiday season.
CYP works yearly with up to 30 families, many of whom return to our program year after year and often strengthen their involvement as younger siblings enter the program. The direct impact of an event like this may seem small, but greatly enhances the students well-being and overall health. “We can’t say enough how grateful we are of the strong relationship between CYP and Member One,” Rhodes said.