CONCORD, Calif.– Pacific Service Credit Union raised nearly $15,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society this year. Pacific Service CU participated in the Light the Night, a fundraising campaign that brings together friends, families and co-workers to form walk teams.
Participants carry illuminated lanterns, varying in color to represent a supporter, those walking in memory of a loved one, or a survivor.
The walk includes participants in nearly 200 communities and raises funds for critical research to help stop blood cancer. Together, participants across the nation raised more than $17.2 million last year to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Separately, Pacific Marine utilized its recent all staff day to embrace the longstanding credit union philosophy of “people helping people.” A super hero theme was selected to remind staff of the unique talents they bring to the organization and the unified goal of helping others.
Employees kicked off the day off with a bang as super heroes for the local community – in this case, Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. As it has for the past decade, Pacific Marine Credit Union raised funds and collected toys for the ill and injured children at Rady. But this year staff set a new record with $22,500 raised and more than 125 toys collected.
The agenda also included an in-depth look at the Credit Union’s core values and strategic plan, all aimed at helping to better the financial lives of their members.
The highlight of the day was a team building activity called “The Helping Hands Project.” Staff gathered into small teams with an initial task of assembling an item per the instructions provided. About halfway through the assembly as the item began to take shape, the teams were informed that what they were assembling was actually a prosthetic hand that would be transported to war-torn countries and fitted to be worn by landmine victims. This philanthropic mission inspired a deep sense of dedication and collaboration among all of the participants as they worked to improve the lives of recipients on the other sides of the world, the credit union said.
“Pacific Marine Credit Union is always seeking out new avenues to embrace our philanthropic values,” said Bill Birnie, PMCU President/CEO. “By utilizing our inaugural credit union wide meeting to focus on helping those in need, employees demonstrated they can be super heroes every day for our members, as well as for those needing a helping hand.”