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Maine CUs continue to prove to be media-friendly


From ending hunger and financial education to organizing the longest, continuous-running basketball tournament in Maine and explaining impact of the legalization of marijuana on financial institutions, Maine CUs continue to be frequent guests and features on media outlets across Maine.  "Maine credit unions have a wealth of knowledge regarding a variety of topics and the community involvement is significant so the media recognizes the value of the League and Maine's credit unions as a resource," remarked Jon Paradise, Vice President of Governmental and Public Affairs for the Maine CU League.

Over the past couple of months, Maine CUs have been part of news segments and interviews for TV stations in all of the state's media markets.  Some of the segments aired for nearly five minutes, while others included the Maine CU perspective for broader stories on financial services. 

newscenter.jpgOne recent story that aired statewide on WCSH 6 and WLBZ 2 included John Murphy, President of the Maine CU League, discussing the challenges that credit unions and other financial institutions face in accepting deposits from marijuana-affiliated businesses.  "Though Maine voters legalized recreational use of marijuana, the reality is that it is still against federal law.  Until this issue is decided at the federal level, it will continue to limit the ability of credit unions and other financial institutions to serve these businesses," Murphy stated in the interview. 

Another media segment that aired on WVII ABC 7 included Kyle Casburn, President/CEO of Seaboard FCU, kyle.pnghighlighting the commitment of credit unions to financial education.  In a nearly five-minute interview, Casburn offered suggestions on how parents can incorporate holiday shopping as a lesson in financial education. 

Ending Hunger was the focus of two recent news stories.  In Aroostook County, as Ryan Ellsworth, President/CEO of The County FCU, provided information for a story on WAGM TV on the Maine CUs' Campaign for Ending Hunger as part of Brenda Davis' Walking Tour visit.  The contribution of the Maine CUs' Campaign for Ending Hunger to help purchase holiday meals through the Good Shepherd Food Bank was the subject of news stories that aired in the Bangor TV market on WABI TV 5, WLBZ 2, and WVII ABC 7.

Finally, the efforts of the Maine CU League and Maine's credit unions in coordinating the C-U Swish-Out Childhood Cancer Challenge, the longest, continuous-running, 3-on-3, charity basketball tournament in Maine, attracted strong news coverage including live coverage on ABC 8 WMTW, and a news story on WCSH 6 and WLBZ 2.  The event, held in mid-January, raised a record-setting $52,650 for the Maine Children's Cancer Program.

Of the strong coverage, Paradise noted that the League and Maine's credit unions are "committed to responding to media requests, and reporters appreciate that commitment.  Additionally, we communicate regularly with media outlets with story ideas, resource information and follow-up materials to assist with topical stories.  We believe it's important to have strong relationships with media across the state, and we appreciate the opportunity to tell the credit union story on issues on a regular basis."