Joe Jones, Carolina Postal CU senior mortgage loan officer (left), and Board Chairman Buddy Livingston are excited about the Carolina Postal Fee 4 Food promotion that gives back to members and collects food for local food banks.

CUs Spread Holiday Cheer

By Lora Kloth

Credit unions brought many glad tidings to their members and communities during the recent holiday season.

Fee 4 Food

Carolina Postal Credit Union’s “Fee 4 Food” promotion not only gives back to members, it collects items for local food banks.

During December, any member that brought a large food item to a branch received a refund for one fee incurred during 2009—anything from a $1 ATM charge to a $29 nonsufficient funds fee, the member’s choice, explains Deb McLean, vice president of marketing and business development for the $66 million asset credit union. Donations were sent to local food banks.

“Our members called and said, ‘Really?” like they didn’t believe us,” McLean says. “But the food came in.”

A Tuna Mattata

When the Portland (Ore.) Police Sunshine Division asked for a hand to help the area’s growing number of hungry families, Advantis Credit Union had an idea: Sell cans of tuna at branch offices to make it easier for members and neighbors to donate high-protein food to hungry families.

With a stressed economy, escalating unemployment, and nutritious food scarce for many families, the metro area is experiencing a more than 40% increase in the number of local families needing food.

The $714 million asset credit union sold cans of tuna at all branches for contribution to the Sunshine Division for emergency distribution. Individuals were encouraged to bring other non-perishable items or monetary contributions to any Advantis location.

The effort resulted in 5,044 donated cans of tuna, $4,566 in donations from tuna sales, and $1,409 in giving tree funds, reports Wendy Edwards, vice president of marketing and human resources for the $714 million asset credit union.

Operation Christmas Child

Christian Community Credit Union, San Dimas, Calif., participated in Operation Christmas Child, a program which organizes the stuffing of shoeboxes with goodies—school supplies, toys, and hygiene items—and sends them to kids around the world.

"Operation Christmas Child creates the opportunity to participate in a program that takes little money or effort, but brings an enormous payoff,” notes John Marshall, banking development officer for the $504 million asset credit union. “It’s a real joy to be a part of Operation Christmas Child as it reaches out to children across the globe."

The drive ran at the credit union from Oct. 27 through Nov. 19. The credit union created a drop-off station with a festive atmosphere to enhance the spirit of giving.

True glove

In December, Fox Communities Credit Union, Appleton, Wis., sponsored a mitten toss at a Green Bay Gambler hockey game. When the Gamblers scored their first goal, fans threw new mittens on the ice.

The $750 million asset credit union donated the mittens to four Green Bay elementary schools.