Credit union employees in eight states use federal holiday to serve their communities, spread kindness
Tenth annual CU Forward Day to be held Monday, Oct. 9
ST. PAUL, MN (October 6, 2023) — While many financial institutions are closed on Monday, Oct. 9, for a federal holiday, that doesn’t mean all credit union employees are taking a day off. Thousands will participate in various service events in eight states as part of an annual kindness day initiative. From Montana to New Jersey, credit unions will help organizations, members, and communities by stocking food shelves, helping seniors with yard work, and serving dinner for cancer patients and their caregivers.
“We’re proud of our credit union employees for their willingness to give up a day off to roll up their sleeves, do a little work, and spread some kindness,” said Mara Humphrey, President & CEO of the Minnesota Credit Union Network. “We’re also proud to collaborate with our league partners to share this initiative with credit unions across the country.”
Saint Paul, MN-based Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union hosted its first organization-wide Plus It Forward Day in 2013. A play on “pay it forward,” the Plus It Forward concept grew out of an employee-driven idea of what it meant to be a part of the community and how credit unions could randomly spread kindness. As the concept grew among additional credit unions, the Minnesota Credit Union Network assumed the coordination under the umbrella name “CU Forward Day” starting in 2017, and has continued to hold it annually on the second Monday in October.
Ten years later, this Kindness Day Initiative has spread to six leagues holding events in seven additional states – Illinois, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. While each league brands the event in its own way – the day brings together credit union employees, members, and partners to help community organizations and individuals through volunteering and spreading kindness.
“I’m so proud to work in an industry that focuses on people over profits”, said the Illinois Credit Union League President, Tom Kane. “I look at our CU Kind Day initiative, and the kindness days being hosted by our League neighbors, as a great example of that mindset; it is an opportunity to show our communities what the credit union difference looks like and demonstrate our commitment to serving others. This year, we are thrilled to collaborate with 7 leagues in 8 states to spread credit union kindness. The impact generated on Oct. 9th will be significant, both in stronger communities and fuller hearts.”
“We are excited to be participating for a second year with CU Kind Day,” said Patty Corkery, President & CEO, Michigan Credit Union League. “It is a day of showcasing the many ways our credit unions reach out and support their community, and for our MCUL team to volunteer with important organizations like Lighthouse in Pontiac, Michigan that provides food and shelter to those in need. We are proud to be part of the national initiative to share the amazing stories of those who work in this awesome industry.”
“Credit unions all over our state have community service as one of their guiding principles,” stated Josh Roberts, VP of System Collaboration & Development at The Wisconsin Credit Union League. “Our CU Community Day gives credit unions the opportunity to share the great ways they give back to their members and neighbors, but also provides a way to amplify their efforts. And not only are we celebrating it with our Wisconsin credit union friends, but with credit unions all over the country.”
All are invited to join in on Oct. 9 to find ways to spread kindness in their communities, and encouraged to share their efforts on social media using #CUForwardDay.
About Minnesota Credit Union Network
The Minnesota Credit Union Network is the trade association for credit unions and works to ensure a thriving credit union system in Minnesota through powerful advocacy, expertise, resources, opportunity, and influence on behalf of our member credit unions and their more than 2 million members.
With over $40.7 billion in assets, Minnesota credit unions are local, trusted financial cooperatives that serve 2.2. million members at 405 branch locations, employing 5,868 people around the state. As not-for-profit institutions, credit unions give back to the communities they serve. For more information, visit mncun.org.
