Happy International Credit Union Day!

Each year, we join our clients in celebrating International Credit Union Day. Dedicated to the spirit of the global credit union movement, this day is set aside to promote its achievements and recognizes the hard work and shared member experiences.

Embracing this year’s theme, “Local Service, Global Reach,” we’d like to spotlight just a few of our valued credit union clients and celebrate the service they provide to their members and local communities.

South Carolina Federal Credit Union employees move forward while giving back. They bring a unique passion for making a difference in the communities they serve through both philanthropy and volunteerism. In 2019, employees logged more than 2,500 volunteer hours and donated approximately $125,000 to various charitable organizations through their Employee Giving Program. Their foundation allows them to make an impact through national nonprofits like the Alzheimer’s Association and the Children’s Miracle Network, as well as local charities, such as Lowcountry Orphan Relief and the Lowcountry Food Bank. They lead almost a dozen local walks a year – like Water Mission’s Walk for Water – to raise awareness for causes they’re passionate about, and they donate blood every other month at onsite blood drives, saving over 500 lives with their donations each year. They also host a number of financial literacy workshops at schools, churches, and other organizations throughout the year to help improve the financial lives of thousands of South Carolinians.

The employees of VyStar Credit Union strive to uphold the credit union philosophy “people helping people” by not only providing their valued members with quality financial products and services, but also actively supporting the communities where they live, work and play. It’s their way of saying “thank you” for welcoming VyStar into their members’ neighborhoods and lives. In 2017, VyStar was recognized as one of Jacksonville’s top philanthropic companies for their support of nonprofits and the Northeast Florida communities. Each year, VyStar employees donate money, hold fundraisers and generously give their time to benefit hundreds of worthy programs within their community. One of many recipients of Vystar’s generosity was the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). VyStar employees selflessly volunteered their time, money and effort throughout the fundraiser, helping VyStar Credit Union become the No. 1 Light the Night fundraising team in Northeast Florida. All the money raised was donated to the LLS to help end leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma.

One of the core values at Pen Air Federal Credit Union is what the employees call “Communerosity,” where community and generosity come together. Employees are granted 5 hours per month to volunteer at any local non-profit organization of their choice. One of the favorite community activities is Big Brothers and Big Sisters (BBBS) “School to Work” program which brings in 12 “littles” from a local high school to Pen Air’s corporate office to meet and shadow their “bigs” each month. Jeans for Communerosity (J4C) is an employee-driven fundraising effort to give back to those in need. The funds raised by the employees are matched by Pen Air and divided equally among the voted charities for the year. One of Pen Air’s top volunteers, Trevor says, “There is nothing more satisfying than having the opportunity to give. It’s such a bigger blessing to give than to receive. Grabbing hold of that truth is more than satisfaction; it’s living life with joy.”

Apple Federal Credit Union serves many local causes, most recently with a #KindnessRocks social campaign – performing numerous random acts of kindness benefitting other non-profits. Each year, the Credit Union hosts a charity golf tournament which raises funds for various local charities, including families fighting pediatric cancer. Apple FCU also gathers backpacks and school supplies which are donated to local schools with the help of key partners like Fairfax County Fire & Rescue. The staff members volunteer in local schools in areas of math, reading and mentorship, as well as in food banks, Habitat ReStores and more. As the official banking partner of George Mason University, Apple volunteers maintain a steady presence on campus. Finally, through the Apple Federal Credit Union Foundation, more than $125,000 of scholarships were awarded to 2019 HS graduates, plus various other community Impact Grants.

Aligned with the Vantage West mission that promotes igniting collaborative relationships with their Members and the communities they serve, so all can thrive together, Vantage West Credit Union recognizes it is their responsibility to be a good corporate citizen. They encourage their Associates to become involved in community activities, lending voluntary support to programs that positively impact the quality of life for their Members and communities at large. In addition to delivering excellent service and serving as trusted financial resources to their Members, Vantage West Associates have a passion for giving back. Every month, they “Go Casual for a Cause,” leaving their ties and suits at home in exchange for a donation to a designated charity. They also hold quarterly drives for supplies, toys, clothes, food and more for selected nonprofit organizations. Associates give thousands of hours of personal time to volunteer for local causes and serve on boards and committees of various nonprofit organizations. To support education, one of their four pillars of social responsibility, they award scholarships for outstanding Member-students every year. The Credit Union also holds corporate memberships in local chambers of commerce and involvement in other economic development efforts. All of this is done in the spirit of fulfilling their purpose of investing in people today to achieve a more prosperous tomorrow.

To all of our credit union clients, thank you for all you do to make the world a better place! May your commitment to service inspire us all to do what we can to improve the quality of life for our communities and neighbors.