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Educational Systems Federal Credit Union recognized for its work to support education

GREENBELT, MD (May 26, 2015) — Educational Systems Federal Credit Union was awarded the Dora Maxwell Award for Social Responsibility by the MD|DC Credit Union Association at their Trailblazer Awards ceremony. The Credit Union was recognized for providing 6,500 backpacks to middle school students in need throughout the seven county school systems it serves in suburban and southern Maryland.

In August and September of 2014, the Credit Union volunteered over 100 hours of employee time to hand-deliver and distribute the 6,500 backpacks with the Credit Union’s mantra of “Support Education” printed on the pocket and containing school supplies to 30 middle schools where 75% of the student body was eligible to receive free and reduced meals. Educational Systems FCU also worked closely with the seven county school systems it serves to distribute backpacks to students in need through their Offices of Homeless Student Services.

“Our core purpose is serving the education community,” said Chris Conway, President/CEO of Educational Systems FCU. “Educators routinely tell us that middle school is a vital time in a student’s career and that their experience in middle school can be the deciding factor to whether or not the student graduates high school. We felt providing backpacks with school supplies was a great way for us to help students achieve in middle school and position them for a bright future.”

The Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Dora Maxwell Award is presented annually to recognize “model credit union efforts to strengthen local institutions and materially improve the lives of non-members through community outreach programs.” Educational Systems FCU was the first place winner for the MD|DC Credit Union Association Dora Maxwell Award, qualifying them for the national competition in which credit unions are honored during CUNA’s Governmental Affairs Conference held each spring in Washington, D.C.

At the Trailblazer Awards ceremony held in Columbia, Maryland, the Credit Union was also recognized for the quality of its Annual Report, which is focused on its service to the education community, and for its social media campaign titled “Reminisce. Recognize. Reward.” The campaign invites individuals to recognize the great works of members of the education community who continually strive to make a difference every day.

Earlier this spring at the national conference of CUNA’s Marketing and Business Development Council, Educational Systems FCU won two Diamond Awards further recognizing the Credit Union’s efforts to Support Education. Educational Systems FCU received a Diamond Award in the special projects category for its back-to-school efforts which included attending over 45 new employee orientations, providing financial education seminars to new school system employees and sponsoring its annual “Tips and Tools for Back-to-School” sweepstakes where members of the education community can submit ideas on how to make the new school year a success. The grand prize winner of “Tips and Tools” then selects a school of their choice to receive a $1,000 donation from Educational Systems FCU. The Credit Union was also recognized with a Diamond Award for their 2013 Annual Report titled “Serving the Education Community.”

Educational Systems FCU (esfcu.org) has proudly served the education community for nearly 60 years. With $787 million in assets and 12 branches, the Credit Union serves nearly 90,000 members in seven school systems and three community colleges throughout Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s and Talbot counties.

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