Financial institutions may have been closed Monday, Oct. 8 in observance of Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day, but thousands of employees from Puget Sound-area credit unions saw an opportunity to make a difference in their communities. The army of volunteers fanned out to raise funds, teach kids, and volunteer with non-profit organizations throughout the area. The efforts are part of the overall credit union philosophy of “people helping people” and represent area credit unions’ commitment to giving back to local communities. Nearly 2,800 employees rolled up their sleeves for the day of service.
Each credit union organized their own activities and chose the type of volunteer work.
- BECU (Tukwila, Wash.) had nearly 2,000 employees hosting financial reality fairs in high schools throughout the Puget Sound and Spokane
- Sound Credit Union (Tacoma, Wash.) had over 275 employees volunteering at 20 different non-profit organizations
- Red Canoe Credit Union (Longview, Wash.) had 225 employees raising funds for six organizations that focus on hunger and homelessness
- Salal Credit Union (Seattle, Wash.) had 170 employees building 16 wheelchairs for Bridge Disability Ministries.
- TAPCO Credit Union (Tacoma, Wash.) had 90 employees out in the community committing random acts of kindness
- Verity Credit Union (Seattle, Wash.) had 90 employees volunteering at six different charities throughout the area
Credit unions were founded on seven key cooperative principals, including being socially responsible and committed to education. Volunteering in the community is part of most credit unions’ overall philosophy. As not-for-profit cooperative financial institutions, credit unions re-invest their earnings in their members and the community around them, in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration.
