Credit Unions Across the Region Make a Difference in Their Communities on ICU Day

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on October 30, 2024

Tri-Cities Volunteers at Mirror Ministries' Esther’s Home

International Credit Union (ICU) Day, on Oct. 17, was a day reflect upon the credit union movement’s history, promote its achievements, recognize hard work, and share member experiences. Credit unions and credit union chapters across the region lived up to the People Helping People philosophy by taking the time to make a difference in their communities on ICU Day.

Here are a few of the ways credit unions in the GoWest region celebrated International Credit Union Day this year!

Volunteers at A Precious Child in Broomfield, Colo.

Rocky Mountain Chapter of Credit Unions encouraged credit union employees from across the region to donate blood and volunteer at local organizations to show support to those who are in need. Employees volunteered at nonprofits including A Precious Child in Broomfield, Colo., SECORCares Food Market in Parker, Colo., and Meals on Wheels of Greeley and Weld County in Greeley, Colo. Volunteers came from: Bellco Credit Union, Blue Federal Credit Union, Canvas Credit Union, Elevations Credit Union, Ent Credit Union, Foothills Credit Union, Northern Colorado Credit Union, Meridian Trust Credit Union, Westerra Credit Union, and Premier Member Credit Union.

Spokane Area Volunteers

More than 80 volunteers from 17 Spokane-area credit unions came together to volunteer on ICU Day, uniting to make a difference in their community and demonstrating the power of cooperation to uplift those in need. Credit union volunteers worked together to organize food donations, sort clothing, and pack diapers at Partners Inland Northwest, the largest social service agency in Spokane Valley. Serving more than 62,000 families annually, the nonprofit focuses on immediate needs of families in crisis. This year’s participating credit unions included: Avista Credit Union, BECU, Canopy Credit Union, Cheney Federal Credit Union, Gesa Credit Union, Global Credit Union, Horizon Credit Union, Idaho Central Credit Union, Numerica Credit Union, PrimeSource Credit Union, Progressions Credit Union, Responders Emergency Services Credit Union, Safeway Federal Credit Union, Spokane City Credit Union, Spokane Firefighters Credit Union, Spokane Media Federal Credit Union, and STCU.

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Volunteers at Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity

Five of Pierce County, Wash.’s credit unions came together for a joint volunteer day on Oct. 17. Volunteers from Sound Credit Union, TAPCO Credit Union, America’s Credit Union, O Bee Credit Union, and Harborstone Credit Union worked together at Food Backpacks 4 Kids Farm in Key Center, two Habitat for Humanity Build sites in Tacoma and Lakewood, and for Metro Parks doing shrub pruning at Charlotte’s Blueberry Park in Tacoma.

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Unitus Awards Community Impact Grants

Unitus Community Credit Union hosted World Foundation for Credit Unions’ President Mike Reuter at its “Paella for Peace” celebration. Spearheaded by Unitus’ President and CEO, Steven Stapp, the event highlighted Unitus’ global connection, honoring their heritage and coming together for the collective good. As part of the celebration, Unitus awarded $125,000 in Community Impact Grants to partners who are making a difference in the lives of people around the world, including grants to World Foundation for Credit Unions, IRCO, WorldOregon, GoWest Foundation, World Central Kitchen, and the National Credit Union Foundation’s CUAid Disaster Relief Program.

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Tri-Cities Volunteers at Mirror Ministries’ Esther’s Home

Credit unions in Washington’s Tri-Cities area came together to make a lasting impact by planting trees at Mirror Ministries’ Esther’s Home. A haven for survivors of sex trafficking, Esther’s Home is preparing to welcome clients with 24-hour, wrap-around care, providing critical support for women rebuilding their lives. This year’s participating credit unions included Gesa Credit Union, HAPO Community Credit Union, Numerica Credit Union, STCU, and Tri-CU Credit Union.

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Valley of the Sun Chapter of Credit Unions in Arizona had a night of networking, advocacy and collaboration to promote this year’s ICU Day theme of “One World Through Cooperative Finance.” They spent the evening listening to the impact that the Credit Union Movement has made locally and worldwide in the lives of our members and communities.

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Pueblo Chapter of Credit Unions

Pueblo Chapter of Credit Unions in Colorado gathered for an evening of fun at their fall social event where they networked, played games, and celebrated!

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Bellco Credit Union Volunteers

As part of their ICU Day celebration, a group of Bellco Credit Union employees in Colorado volunteered at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. Volunteers helped clean, organize, and build new furniture at the club.

We love sharing stories of credit unions making a difference in their communities! When you have news to share with the GoWest community, let us know! Submit your news HERE!

Posted in Across the Region, Arizona, Chapters, Colorado, Community Impact, Oregon, Regional Member News, Top Headlines, Washington.