MOBILE, Ala.– New Horizons Credit Union earned a CUNA First Place Dora Maxwell Award for credit unions in its asset division for exhibiting excellence in community social responsibility.
New Horizons Credit Union believes in giving back to the community. For this reason, they have named their community efforts - Horizons Helping Hands. Horizons Helping Hands is a New Horizons Credit Union employee team effort that raises funds for employee selected non-profit organizations through internal efforts such as jeans days.
Several charities have benefited from Horizons Helping Hands endeavors such as the high school - Hi-Q Academic Competition, the credit union said.
At right, from left, Grace Newcombe (League of Southeastern Credit Unions) presents the Dora Maxwell Award to Ashley Zavros & Joe Mills from New Horizons Credit Union.
New Horizons Credit Union has been the title sponsor of the Hi-Q Academic Competition in Mobile, AL since 1986. The Hi-Q program is the oldest continuing academic quiz competition in the US, and New Horizons has been the sole sponsor for this competition since it expanded to Alabama in 1986. New Horizons CU partnered with the Mobile County Public School System because both share in the belief that Hi-Q is a very important part of quality education.
When COVID threatened the continuance of the Hi-Q matches, New Horizons Credit Union remained diligent with its volunteers and marketing team to see the Hi-Q program succeed in a first-ever, virtual setting among the participating high schools.
New Horizons CU said it strongly believes the Hi-Q competition encourages academic achievement, initiative, and good sportsmanship. Furthermore, by sponsoring an academic quiz competition we are giving high school students the opportunity to showcase and enrich their knowledge that will inevitably lead to higher college enrollment and a lower dropout rate for schools.
New Horizons Credit Union also proudly awards five, $1,000 scholarships annually to deserving high school seniors. Awardees are chosen based on several factors, with one of the main focuses being community service. The Hi-Q program helps broadcast the scholarship directly to high schools.
“We are deeply honored to have received this award,” said New Horizons CU President/CEO, Edith Franklin. “We have actively been involved in our community for years, and it is a great feeling to know that our efforts make a difference in people’s lives. This is what makes credit unions stand apart from other financial institutions.”