Press

St. Helens Community celebrates 80 years with 960 acts of kindness

ST. HELENS, OR (January 25, 2018) — St. Helens Community Credit Union is celebrating its 80^th anniversary. To make it a year to remember, the credit union is performing 80 acts of kindness per month throughout 2018. The first 80 items were backpacks loaded with school supplies for teens in foster care.

“When St. Helens Community delivered 80 backpacks to our agency, it was a big moment,” remembered Nikki Watkins, Office Manager for the St. Helens Department of Human Services (DHS). Those backpacks contained everything the teens in foster care need. It was a wonderful gift for the community.”

The backpacks were accompanied by pens, paper, notebooks and a lot more. The credit union and its employees put everything together and made the delivery.

“2018 is a big year for us,” stated Brooke Van Vleet, President and CEO of St. Helens Community Credit Union. “Our monthly, 80 acts of kindness will be a way to give back to the community as we celebrate eight decades with special offers, a big member appreciation BBQ in the summer, member stories and more.”

The credit union will celebrate 80 years with their members in mind, including gathering member stories for the chance to win a $80 gift card each week this Spring. Also, already planned are 80 books for kids in April as part of Read Across America Day, 80 beach balls to make the summer months even more fun, 80 turkeys for those in need during Thanksgiving, and more, such as 80 flowers planted at a senior center.

St. Helens Community Credit Union was founded in 1938 to serve the financial needs of employees at two local paper mills. Back then, families lived on less than $50 per month, buying homes, opening businesses, and growing the community. 80 years later, $50 doesn’t buy nearly as much, but members still get a lot of value from their local credit union.

“It’s an honor to serve and stand alongside our members,” stated Van Vleet. “We’re excited to share this anniversary celebration with everyone.”

DHS employees Alissandra Daniels, Nikki Watkins, St. Helens Community VP of Marketing Ryann Weaver, and DHS employee Andrea Kotkins.

About St. Helens Community Credit Union

St. Helens Community Credit Union (shcu.org) is proud to be the area’s longstanding not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative. Membership is open to families and businesses throughout Columbia, Clatsop, and Cowlitz Counties as well as Sauvie Island, Oregon.