Credit Unions Across the West Put the Cooperative Spirit Into Action on ICU Day

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on October 21, 2026

Northern Colorado Credit Union’s Meagan Barrett and Westerra Credit Union’s Ryan D. Knight appeared on Denver7.

From volunteering in local communities to supporting people impacted by disasters and sharing the credit union mission through local media, credit unions across the GoWest region marked International Credit Union Day on Oct. 15 by putting the Credit Union Difference into action.

Celebrated worldwide for 78 years, International Credit Union Day recognizes the history, achievements and community impact of credit unions. This year’s theme, “Cooperative Finance: A Steady Signal in a Noisy World,” highlighted the role credit unions play in providing trusted, people-focused financial services and supporting communities through times of uncertainty.

Here are a few of the ways credit unions celebrated the cooperative spirit at the heart of the Movement:

Colorado Credit Unions Celebrate Their People and Mission

In Colorado, Northern Colorado Credit Union’s Meagan Barrett and Westerra Credit Union’s Ryan D. Knight took the credit union story to local television, appearing on Denver7 to explain how not-for-profit credit unions help people meet their financial needs and thrive. This was part of a takeover campaign at Denver7 celebrating credit unions, which also included webpage content, social media posts, and an email to Denver7 subscribers touting the Credit Union Difference.

The segment offered an opportunity to share the purpose behind the credit union model and highlight the difference a people-first approach makes for members and communities.

Other Colorado credit unions marked the occasion with celebrations closer to home. Credit Union of Denver recognized its team with custom Credit Union Day socks, a lighthearted way to thank employees for putting their best foot forward for colleagues and members every day.

Credit Union of the Rockies celebrated by giving members an opportunity to earn double points on eligible purchases with their Credit Union of the Rockies Visa cards. The promotion reflected another way credit unions can recognize members and deliver added value.

Arizona Credit Unions Put People Helping People Into Action

Nineteen credit unions across Arizona came together for the fourth annual Arizona Credit Union Week, which was a GoWest Cooperation in Action Award finalist this year, bringing the cooperative philosophy of People Helping People to communities throughout the state.

Azona Valley of the Sun Chapter members with Frank Kitchen

The week featured a Pay it Forward Day and Day of Service, when more than 200 volunteers from 19 credit unions supported 10 nonprofit organizations across Arizona. Each nonprofit received a $1,800 donation to further its community work.

The celebration also recognized small businesses making a difference across Arizona through the inaugural AZ48 program, launched by Arizona’s Credit Unions and Visa, and wrapped up with a financial literacy activity at Mosley Middle School where students built financial knowledge through an interactive digital soccer game.

Meanwhile, the Arizona, Valley of the Sun Chapter of Credit Unions brought professionals together for an event featuring Frank C. Kitchen, a leadership expert and author. The gathering offered an opportunity to connect, learn and explore how collaboration and leadership can strengthen careers and communities.

Idaho Credit Unions Turned Kindness Into Action

ICCU celebrated International Credit Union Day through hands-on service projects supporting children and community members in need.

Team members assembled goodie bags for children in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in support of Children’s Miracle Network. Employees also partnered with Our Place to remove old flooring, helping prepare the organization’s space to better serve neighbors seeking emergency resources.

In North Idaho, the North Idaho Chapter of Credit Unions marked the occasion with an International Credit Union Day dinner celebrating the impact credit unions make in their communities. The event included credit union executives sharing their industry experiences and a “Raffle for a Cause” benefiting the Frank J. Harwood Initiative, which supports local youth and carries forward Harwood’s legacy.

Washington Credit Unions Join Forces to Serve Their Communities

Across Washington, credit unions marked International Credit Union Day by joining forces to support local organizations and meet community needs.

For more than a decade, Spokane-area credit unions have celebrated International Credit Union Day through a shared community service project, demonstrating the power of cooperation in action. This year, 17 credit unions came together on Oct. 15 for a day of service benefiting Our Place Community Outreach, a nonprofit that provides food, clothing, hygiene products, and other essential resources to individuals and families facing challenging circumstances. Volunteers helped distribute food, sort donated clothing, remove flooring, paint facility spaces, and prepare outdoor areas for fall. The participating credit unions also presented the organization with a $44,250 donation to support its work.

“Partnerships like this are at the heart of the credit union cooperative model,” said Deanna Hanley, President and CEO of Spokane City Credit Union. “When credit unions come together, we can bring a tremendous amount of time and hands-on help to an organization doing important work for our neighbors.”

Participating credit unions included Avista Credit Union, BECU, Canopy Credit Union, Cheney Federal Credit Union, Gesa Credit Union, Global Credit Union, Horizon Credit Union, ICCU, Media 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, and STCU.

In western Washington, WECU teamed up with Northwest Plus Credit Union, Harborstone Credit Union, GoWest, and family and friends to support the Tri-Parish Food Bank. Volunteers spent the day sorting food and helping direct resources to where they were needed most, extending the spirit of service beyond International Credit Union Day itself.

Oregon Credit Union Supports Communities Near and Far

Unitus Community Credit Union marked International Credit Union Day by supporting organizations helping people recover from war and natural disasters, donating a total of $44,500 to relief efforts locally and around the world.

Ahead of the celebration, Unitus hosted a luncheon on Oct. 1 featuring Ukrainian food and music and bringing together organizations serving immigrant communities. Four organizations received a combined $20,000 for their work with refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Unitus also contributed $10,000 to Oregon and Washington wildfire relief efforts through United Ways of the Pacific Northwest and Spokane Teachers Credit Union’s Here for Good disaster relief fund. Additional donations supported earthquake relief in Colombia and Venezuela, flood relief in Nepal and the World Council of Credit Unions’ international work.

“Credit unions around the world have often started in areas recovering from natural disasters,” said Unitus President and CEO Steven Stapp at the luncheon. “And they stay long afterward as the communities rebuild. Often, they’re the first infrastructure.”

The contributions reflect the cooperative movement’s ability to provide support beyond financial services, helping individuals and communities navigate difficult circumstances and rebuild for the future.

Celebrating the Credit Union Difference Every Day

International Credit Union Day offers an opportunity to recognize that impact, but the commitment behind it extends throughout the year. By working together, supporting local organizations, investing in financial well-being and showing up for members when they need it most, credit unions across the West continue to demonstrate the enduring value of cooperative finance.

Posted in Arizona, Chapters, Colorado, Community Impact, Idaho, Leadership, Oregon, Regional Member News, Small Credit Unions, Top Headlines, Washington, Young Professionals.