Redwood Credit Union helps protect more than 3,150 people by securely shredding documents

This summer, more than 3,150 residents in Marin, Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino counties took action to protect themselves from fraud and identity theft by bringing old financial records and other paperwork to Redwood Credit Union’s (RCU’s) free Shred-a-Thons.

Shred-IT trucks were onsite at each event to help communities safely dispose of and recycle 170,750 lbs. of documents. In addition, Conservation Corps of the North Bay collected more than 28,522 lbs. of e-waste at the Marin, Sonoma, and Mendocino events—including old TVs, printers, monitors, computers, and other personal electronics for secure recycling.

“We missed seeing our communities at Shred-a-Thons last year due to the pandemic, and we were excited to welcome people back this year,” said Matt Martin, senior vice president of community and government relations at RCU. “It’s gratifying to look at the numbers and realize we were able to help thousands of people safeguard themselves from identity theft.”

At each Shred-a-Thon location, attendees had an opportunity to donate to a local nonprofit. In total, the events raised more than $9,450 to support SchoolsRule Marin, Puertas Abiertas Community Resource Center in Napa, and Redwood Empire Food Bank in Sonoma and Mendocino counties.