77th Annual ICU Day Brings Washington Credit Unions Together for Community Service

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on November 5, 2025

Credit union volunteers refreshed garden spaces at Hutton Settlement.

In celebration of the 77th annual International Credit Union (ICU) Day on Oct. 16, credit unions across Washington came together to make a difference in their communities.

International Credit Union Day celebrates the spirit of the global credit union movement. This day is recognized to reflect upon the credit union movement’s history, promote its achievements, recognize its hard work, and share member experiences.

Puget Sound Credit Unions

Six local credit unions – ACU, Gesa Credit Union, Harborstone Credit Union, O Bee Credit Union, Sound Credit Union, and TAPCO Credit Union – joined forces to support four Boys & Girls Club locations in Washington: the Alderwood Club in Lynnwood, Raj Manhas Activity Center (RMAC) in Lacey, Gary & Carol Milgard Family Hope Center in Lakewood, and the Al Davies Club in Tacoma.

Credit Union volunteers who worked together at RMAC Boys & Girls Club in Lacey, Wash.

More than 75 credit union employees spent the day creating festive fall and Halloween-themed decorations, cleaning, and organizing at the four locations. These projects helped to ensure that youth at the clubs have safe, welcoming environments filled with seasonal cheer, along with the everyday resources they rely on after school.

For Boys & Girls Clubs, food is one of the most essential services. In 2024 alone, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County served more than 162,000 meals and snacks to youth across its 27 locations, reaching over 26,000 kids. The Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound served more than 8,000 youth, with over 133,000 meals and snacks provided across nine sites in Pierce, Kitsap, and Mason counties. Meanwhile, the nine Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County provided over 101,000 meals to nearly 2,000 kids. Organizing snack inventory is a vital part of ensuring these young people have consistent access to nutrition in safe, positive spaces.

“At the heart of credit unions is the belief that we make the greatest difference for our communities when we come together,” said Amber Merrill, Community Relations Manager at Gesa Credit Union. “Supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs and the work they do means making sure young people have access to the essentials — from snacks and meals to a welcoming environment — that allow them to show up ready to learn and thrive.”

Spokane Credit Unions

More than 80 volunteers from 17 Spokane-area credit unions came together to support Hutton Settlement, an organization that’s been providing safe, stable, and nurturing homes for children for more than 100 years. Their mission centers on fostering education, resilience, and hope, and this year, credit union teams helped bring that mission to life.

Volunteers rolled up their sleeves to refresh garden spaces, install new pathways, assemble furniture and shelving, and prep garden beds for spring planting. All of this was part of Hutton Settlement’s ongoing HOPE initiatives, which provide children with hands-on learning opportunities.

Together, the credit unions also raised $44,000 for Hutton Settlement.

This year’s participating credit unions include: Avista Credit Union, BECU, Canopy Credit Union, Cheney Federal Credit Union, Gesa Credit Union, Global Credit Union, Horizon Credit Union, ICCU, 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, Media Credit Union, and STCU.

Posted in Community Impact, Regional Member News, Top Headlines, Washington.