Baton Rouge, LA (January 27, 2026) |
Pelican Credit Union concluded 2025 by awarding a 2026 Honda CR-V to a Louisiana member through its #PelicanPays initiative, reinforcing its commitment to community impact and member appreciation.
The vehicle giveaway generated nearly 12,000 entries from members across Pelican’s 18 branch locations throughout Louisiana. The contest ran for more than a month and culminated in a live announcement at the credit union’s Pineville branch.
“There is a lot of bad news in the world, and Pelican is intentional about creating moments that inspire hope,” said Leigh Porta, Chief Growth Officer at Pelican Credit Union. “Reliable transportation can be life-changing for a family. We wanted to provide meaningful support during challenging economic times.”
The randomly selected winner, Terrance Beauregard, joined Pelican in July 2025. In an unexpected turn of events, he was experiencing vehicle trouble the evening of the announcement while attempting to take his wife to work. Pelican staff coordinated to bring him to the branch, where he was surprised with the new SUV.
“This giveaway reflects the heart of our organization,” said Jeff Conrad, Chief Executive Officer of Pelican Credit Union. “As a member-owned financial institution, our mission extends beyond financial services. We strive to make a tangible difference in our members’ lives when it matters most.”
The car giveaway is one of several large-scale efforts completed in 2025 under the #PelicanPays banner. What began as small, spontaneous acts of kindness has evolved into a broader community investment strategy. This year, Pelican hosted two grocery giveaways in partnership with local stores, providing $50 in groceries to shoppers, and launched a summer initiative paying up to $10,000 in personal debt for selected members.
Headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Pelican Credit Union serves members statewide and beyond. Additional community-driven initiatives are planned for 2026 as the credit union continues expanding its outreach efforts.
For more information, visit www.pelicancu.com.