CU News & Events – June Edition

July 5, 2023 |

With the start of summer, the Campaign for Ending Hunger’s $100,000 Challenge, and ample fundraisers and community-based activities, credit unions across Maine were busy! Our League offers insight into what some of our credit unions were doing to kickstart the summer fun.

  • Acadia FCU hosted an open house celebration at their new Operations Center in Fort Kent. Guests were greeted with refreshments, hors d’oeuvres, gifts, and a tour of the new space.
  • On social media, Atlantic FCU shared helpful tips for handling drastic changes in personal finances, such as reviewing finances, revisiting budgets, considering other income sources, asking for help, and more.
  • Bangor FCU and Brewer FCU joined the Bangor Chapter of Credit Unions to fundraise for the Children’s Miracle Network, encouraging members to stop at a branch location to enter for a chance to win VIP box tickets to see Kidz Bop at the Bangor waterfront.
  • Due to an increase in ATM and gas terminal fraud in the state, Capital Area FCU reminded members about what to look for to keep themselves and their information protected.
  • This month, Casco FCU featured Hearts & Horses as their business spotlight. The organization has been a member of the credit union since its inception in the 1980’s and has become one of Maine’s largest and most popular horse farms offering programs for all ages and abilities.
  • Changing Seasons FCU held its annual summer barbecue, grilling up burgers, dogs, and wings for members and handing out prizes.
  • On June 10, Community CU participated in the United Way of Androscoggin County’s Touch-A-Truck 2023 event at Central Maine Community College. Staff from the credit union interacted with community members and manned a table.
  • June 24 brought back Connected CU’s annual yard sale! All proceeds benefitted the Campaign for Ending Hunger.
  • cPort CU encouraged members to submit photographs for consideration for their 2024 calendar. The calendar contest runs through July 31.
  • Cumberland County FCU attended Westbrook Together Days on June 3 to engage with the community.
  • Dirigo FCU’s blog and social media outlined crucial stats and tips for their members in honor of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15.
  • Throughout June, Downeast CU hosted a $100 Youth Challenge. Members ages 13-21 could enter by reading their informative blog post, completing the related activity, and then returning it to their local branch for review. The winner received $100 directly into their account.
  • With ATM fraud spanning statewide, Eastmill FCU alerted members of the increase in related fraud and shared information on how to conduct a safe transaction at an ATM, gas pump, or using a store’s card reader.
  • Evergreen CU is coming to Scarborough! They broke ground on their new location at 617 U.S. Route 1 and hope to open by spring of 2024.
  • On June 14, Five County CU presented Good Shepherd Food Bank with a check for $5,500—funds generously raised from members, staff, and the local community.
  • For the month of June, Franklin-Somerset FCU challenged its employees to sell paper watermelons that said, “One in a melon!” Folks could write their name on them and they were hung in the lobbies. If the team sold $500, the credit union agreed to match the funds and make a contribution to the Campaign for Ending Hunger. They met the goal and $1,000 was donated to June’s $100,000 Ending Hunger Challenge.
  • Gardiner FCU coordinated a Kickoff to Summer raffle to raise money for the Campaign for Ending Hunger. The prize included two oversized camp chairs, a Yeti cooler, a camping table, a firepit, and more.
  • While closed in recognition of the Juneteenth holiday, Great Falls FCU informed members on the importance of celebrating the day by educating themselves about the history and origin of Juneteenth.
  • Infinity CU advised recent graduates that what they do with graduation money can impact their financial future. They shared advice on what to do with gifted graduation money to set themselves up for a solid, successful future.
  • Katahdin FCU awarded $9,500 in scholarships to local graduating seniors. They also participated in the Granite Street School Field Day by manning the popsicle booth.
  • A summer raffle arrived at KSW FCU consisting of a grill and cookout gear to prepare members for hours of fun in the summer sun.
  • KV FCU posted delicious summer recipes contributed by staff for members to try at home as a low-cost, engaging activity.
  • Lincoln Maine FCU started a new podcast called Lincoln Loon Lodge. They currently have three episodes out on topics such as IRAs and HSAs, ways to save, and the difference between banks and credit unions. The podcast is linked on the credit union’s website.
  • Tellers at Lisbon Community FCU sold Moxie-themed shirts ahead of the Moxie Festival happening July 7-9.
  • Wahda United Football Club excitedly shared the news of their partnership with Maine Family FCU. Wahda United Football Club provides pro-development soccer in Lewiston.
  • Maine Highlands FCU’s 3rd annual Golf Tournament to End Hunger was held on June 11 and raised over $3,600 for the Campaign for Ending Hunger.
  • Loaves and Fishes received a $400 donation from Maine Savings FCU’s Ellsworth team.
  • Maine State CU employees volunteered at the inaugural Gray Community Day. It was a great way to give back to the community.
  • June 8 brought back Midcoast FCU’s annual Bags & Brews Cornhole Tournament!
  • Milestones FCU announced the winners of their 2023 scholarships. Congratulations to Ainsley Foster and Lorelei Bonney.
  • Throughout the month, staff from New Dimensions FCU challenged members to help us all collectively raise $100,000 for the Campaign for Ending Hunger during the month of June.
  • Employees of NorState FCU baked homemade pies for their Pie Raffle. Proceeds were directed to the Campaign for Ending Hunger and a winner was drawn on June 28.
  • On June 22, Northeast CU attended the Westbrook Common Ribbon Cutting. During the event, Mayor Michael Foley addressed the crowd and thanked the credit union and Westbrook Branch Manager, Dru Laduke, for their commitment to the space and the City of Westbrook.
  • On June 19, OTIS FCU’s Chris Bouchard, Jeremy Nadeau, Brad Hamilton, and Steve Hamilton participated in the JLLF Chamber’s 16th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament. The credit union also sponsored the event.
  • Oxford FCU announced Emma Stevens-Belanger, Emma MacFarlane, Adam Shover, and Bryce Atkisson as the recipients of the credit union’s $1,000 scholarships for the class of 2023. Congratulations to these graduates!
  • A blog from Penobscot County FCU offered insight into the risks of participating in social media quizzes and games, noting that they are often part of social engineering scams.
  • PeoplesChoice CU updated all of their ATMs for contactless and digital wallet access to keep members safe from skimmers. They also provided security tips for keeping card information safe ahead of using a card reader at an ATM, gas pump, or retailer.
  • In support of the Campaign for Ending Hunger, Sabattus Regional CU raffled off a fourth of July cooler full of gift cards, summer snacks, cash prizes, and more. Over $500 was raised for the Campaign.
  • As a meal sponsor, volunteers from Saco Valley CU joined the folks at Saco Meals Program to cook and serve 25 homemade traditional pork pies.
  • Seaboard FCU reminded members they can check their credit score and report for free through SavvyMoney in their online and mobile banking daily with no impact to their credit score.
  • Social media from Sebasticook Valley FCU wished father figures a Happy Father’s Day.
  • The County FCU won two awards at United Way of Aroostook’s Annual Meeting on June 15. Congratulations on these outstanding recognitions!
  • Town & Country FCU celebrated 70 years of serving the community with an anniversary concert on Saturday, June 3 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. Nearly 700 members joined the celebration. In the spirit of People Helping People, Town & Country donated $5,000 from ticket sales to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland at the concert.
  • Trademark FCU shared an update on Facebook about the new South Portland Skatepark, which they are excited to have been able to contribute to. The credit union is excited there is a new place in the community to come together.
  • On social media throughout June, TruChoice FCU posted multiple tips for avoiding online scams.
  • Employees, family members, and friends of University CU volunteered at the Special Olympics Maine Summer Games during the weekend of June 10 at the University of Maine.
  • Angel, a member of the credit union, won Winthrop Area FCU’s June raffle prize, which was a grill with grilling goodies.