Credit Union News and Events

Maine credit unions had an especially busy and meaningful December as they worked to make the holiday season brighter for their communities.  Here’s a look at what our credit unions were up to last month:

• Acadia FCU donated $5 to the Campaign for Ending Hunger for every employee who came into work wearing an ugly Christmas sweater on December 20.
• Atlantic FCU’s Freeport branch manager presented a $1,000 check to WCYY’s Markathon event, which raises funds for The Center for Grieving Children in Portland.
• On December 6, staff from Bangor Federal delivered non-perishable goods to Old Town Elementary School. The items were donated by members.
• Brewer FCU held their First Annual Cocoa for a Cause on December 20 at both of their locations. The local Dunkin’ Donuts provided the cocoa and donations were collected for the Campaign for Ending Hunger.
• Capital Area FCU collected a generous donation of Beanie Babies in early December. The credit union then held a sale, with all proceeds benefiting Maine Special Olympics.
• Patty Kenney, Casco FCU’s Community Relations Manager, celebrated her 25^th anniversary with the credit union on December 9. Congratulations, Penny!
• Central Maine CU donated $3,450 to Androscoggin Public Elementary School Libraries on December 12.
• Throughout the month of December, Changing Seasons FCU collected donations for the Marine Toys for Tots program.
• Coast Line CU’s “chat now” feature on their website makes communicating with members even easier.
• Community CU held a 50/50 diaper drive raffle. With the help of their members, the CU raised $1,000 for the Promise Early Education Center.
• Connected CU decorated a Christmas tree in their lobby with gift cards, certificates, and other goodies. Valued at $1,400, the tree was raffled off to raise money for Campaign for Ending Hunger.
• During the holiday season, each cPort CU branch supported organizations in their community. The Family Shelter, Project G.R.A.C.E., The Salvation Army, Oxford Street Shelter, Hussey Elementary School, and the Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers all received donations from the credit union.
• Cumberland County FCU’s Service Specialist, Carrie Ann Dyer, celebrated 10 years at the CU on December 4. Congratulations, Carrie Ann!
• Dirigo FCU celebrated the grand opening of their new Lewiston branch on December 4.
• By either enrolling or viewing eStatements in December, Downeast CU members had a chance to win $100.
• Eastmill FCU surprised members by offering a 6% rebate on any interest paid on loans in 2019. Additionally, members received a 6% rebate on dividends earned in their savings account.
• The Maine Brewers’ Guild and Sebago Brewing Company hosted Evergreen CU at the Allied Members Dinner on December 4.
• Five County CU participated in the festivities at the Holiday at Hadlock event on December 7 by hosting face painting and balloon art under the Five County tent.
• To help make finding a branch ever easier, Franklin-Somerset FCU’s “Find a Location” feature is now posted on its website.
• Gardiner FCU collected toys throughout the month of December. All toys were later donated to the Chrysalis Place Food Pantry to help families in need during the holidays.
• With tax season around the corner, Great Falls FCU shared information on preventing IRS scams on its website.
• Infinity FCU posted some year-end statistics on social media in December. The CU welcomed 2,000 new members, saved members over $6 million through consolidation and refinancing, approved over $1 million in small business loans, donated $27,000, and more.
• Katahdin FCU was very involved in the Millinocket Marathon & Half, which took place on December 7. The credit union attended the Parade of Lights to welcome runners to Millinocket on the evening before the race; served as one of the race day sponsors of the Festival of Trees; and participated in the Christmas in Katahdin holiday party, which took place on the Sunday of marathon weekend.
• KSW FCU donated $165.94 to the Benton Elementary School Lunch Program and the George J. Mitchell School Backpack program on December 17.
• KV FCU announced on December 9 that it raised over $10,000 for the Campaign for Ending Hunger in 2019.
• On December 9, Lincoln Maine FCU shared some helpful tips for completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for its college-bound members.
• Lisbon Community FCU raised $1,464 during its holiday raffle to benefit the Campaign for Ending Hunger. The raffle’s lucky winner received $732!
• Maine Family FCU drew the winner of their 50/50 raffle on December 20. A total of $7,408 was raised, with half benefiting the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital.
• Maine Highlands FCU opened the doors of its new 2,080 square foot branch in Canaan.
• Maine Media FCU will enter members into a monthly drawing to win a Starbucks gift card if they bring an eligible new member to the credit union.
• Maine Savings FCU held its first annual staff Christmas tree decorating contest.
• Maine Solutions FCU has partnered with Sallie Mae to offer college financing to members.
• Maine State CU signed on to be a sponsor of the Maine Pond Hockey Classic. This special event will take place February 7 – 9 to benefit the Alfond Youth Center.
• Midcoast FCU has helpful home financing, lease, investment, and retirement calculators on their website.
• Monmouth FCU posted a detailed 2020 calendar on the “Locations and Hours” section of its website to help members plan around branch closures in the coming year.
• Staff from New Dimensions FCU volunteered at Sappi on December 20 and assembled Christmas dinner boxes. The credit union put 150 dinners together for families in need.
• NorState FCU invited members to warm up by a campfire at Les Bon Vieux Temp in Eagle Lake on December 22. The credit union even brought s’mores to share at this festive event.
• Northeast CU raised $7,830 for Honor Flight New England, an organization that sends veterans to monuments created in their honor.
• Otis FCU raised $865 for the Campaign for Ending Hunger after it raffled off the Christmas tree staff decorated at the Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls Chamber of Commerce’s 2^nd Annual Old-Fashioned Christmas Festival.
• On each of the 12 days leading up to Christmas, Oxford FCU made a $1,000 donation to local charitable organizations.
• Showing their holiday spirit, staff from Penobscot County FCU took some time to answer letters from Santa on December 10.
• PeoplesChoice CU provided free children’s books to their members at each of their branches last month.
• Sabattus Regional CU donated over $2,000 to the Campaign for Ending Hunger following their annual Christmas raffle.
• Kelly LaBrecque from Saco Valley CU celebrated 20 years at the credit union in December. Congratulations, Kelly!
• Seaboard FCU collected new socks for children, teens, and adults throughout December. Their Sock-In-A-Box donations were distributed to the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter, the Shaw House, and the Emmaus Homeless Shelter.
• Sebasticook Valley FCU paid out $3,000 through their holiday cash calendar last month, with proceeds benefiting the Campaign for Ending Hunger.
• Staff from The County FCU braved cold temperatures by participating in the parade on Main St. in Presque Isle on December 9.
• Town & Country FCU got into the holiday spirit by sharing 12 savings tips in the 12 days leading up to Christmas.
• Progress on Trademark FCU’s future branch in South Portland is underway. On December 16, the buildings that were on the future lot were torn down and cleaned up, leaving a clean lot for building the new credit union.
• TruChoice FCU donated $1,000 to My Place Teen Center in Biddeford, the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, and the Center for Grieving Children in Portland.
• To help end hunger on college campuses in Maine, University CU collected monetary donations in December. The CU matched each dollar up to $25,000. The credit union also welcomed new President and CEO Renee Ouellette. Congratulations, Renee!
• In memory of Captain Scott Higgins, Winslow Community FCU donated proceeds from their winter raffle to the Central Maine Fire Attack School.
• On December 7, Winthrop Area FCU held a meet and greet with Disney and other child-friendly characters before a community parade.