Press
Kansas credit unions give away $30,500 in 17 locations during statewide event
WICHITA, KS (October 16, 2014) — $30,500. 17 Kansas credit unions. 17 Kansas locations. 1 difference.
By the end of the day, more than 1,000 Kansans will be on the receiving end of the latest Make a Difference event, a coordinated, statewide effort between 17 Kansas credit unions and the Kansas Credit Union Association.
Credit unions surprised consumers in their communities by giving away cash, gift cards or free gas in 17 Kansas locations including Augusta, Bonner Springs, Blue Rapids, El Dorado Emporia, Great Bend, Hanover, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Ness City, Newton, Norton, Topeka, Winfield, and Waterville. Some communities had multiple locations.
“We don’t do any advance promotion for these events,” said Susan Dyer, Communications Director for the Kansas Credit Union Association. “We feel our efforts have the greatest impact when it’s unexpected. We just want to brighten someone’s day, and hope that those on the receiving end pass it on, so it has a ripple effect in the community.”
A total of $30,500 will be given away today. The events are held throughout the day, with the first event beginning at 7:30 a.m, and the last event beginning at 4:30 p.m.
This is the fifth event in the Kansas Credit Union Association’s Make a Difference campaign.
Participating credit unions included:
- Ark Valley Credit Union
- Cessna Employees Credit Union
- Credit Union of America
- Educational Credit Union
- Emporia State Federal Credit Union
- Kansas State University Federal Credit Union
- Mainstreet Credit Union
- Medical Community Credit Union
- Meritrust Credit Union
- Mid American Credit Union,
- New Century Credit Union
- Quest Credit Union
- Sunflower U.P. Credit Union
- United Credit Union
- United Northwest Federal Credit Union
- White Eagle Credit Union
- Wichita Federal Credit Union
Representatives from the participating credit unions volunteer and coordinate their respective locations for the event.
“These events are a great way for credit unions to put the ‘people helping people’ philosophy in action,” said Dyer. “Credit unions exist to serve their members and support their local communities, and these events illustrate the credit union difference.”
Each event is a surprise. The locations are announced via Twitter and Facebook the day of the event. People could follow the hashtag #theCUway to find out when and where the next event was happening.
The event coincides with International Credit Union Day, held annually on the third Thursday of October.
The events have grown in participation are held in May and October of each year. The first event included nine credit unions in six locations. Today’s event included 17 credit unions in 17 locations. After today’s event, Kansas credit unions will have given away $86,000 through all five events.
ABOUT THE KANSAS CREDIT UNION ASSOCIATION
The Kansas Credit Union Association is the trade association for credit unions in Kansas, serving more than 630,000 Kansas consumers. Established in 1934, the Association’s mission is to assist member credit unions in meeting the needs of their members and potential members to further the success of the credit union movement.