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It has long been said that what differentiates credit unions from other financial institutions is the fact that credit unions are committed to their members and community not because they have to, but because it is the "right thing to do." Aside from providing the best value in financial services, Maine credit unions take that commitment to community very seriously. One might even say, what credit unions do for the community is worthy of a capital 'C'!
Two recent examples include one of the largest CU contributions to a non-profit charity ever in Maine; and a unique campaign collecting new socks for homeless shelters.
In late December, Town & Country FCU announced it was donating $100,000 to the Eastern Trail Alliance's plan to complete a 1.6-mile gap in the off-road trail as it runs through Scarborough. The gift is the largest made by the credit union in its 63-year history and one of the largest ever made by a credit union in Maine. The CU is making the contribution in honor of two longtime board members (pictured here), the late Edward Connolly (left), and Wilfred Couture (right).
"This project is symbolic of Town & Country's mission to create a personal connection with each of our members," explained David Libby, President/CEO of Town & Country FCU. The contribution was much appreciated, as well. "Town & Country FCU is a fine example of leadership in giving, and demonstrates what can be done when community members work together. The Eastern Trail will be able to expand all the way to the Maine-New Hampshire border with these types of partnerships," remarked Deborah Erickson-Irons, President of the Eastern Trail trustees.
In Bucksport, the holiday spirit was alive and well, as Seaboard FCU held its first-ever
Sock-In-A-Box Campaign. "When you go outside in the winter and your feet get wet it's pretty uncomfortable and you can't wait to come inside and change your socks. Now, imagine you're homeless and don't have a pair of dry socks to change into, and you're forced to stay in those wet cold socks," said Seaboard FCU's Johanna Dorr (pictured in the center with other CU staff) of Seaboard FCU, adding, "So, I had this crazy idea to help."
Turns out, this crazy idea was a huge success as the CU surpassed its Socks in a Box goal of 300 and collected 648 pairs of socks and many new hats and mittens. The contributions were distributed among shelters near or in the three communities where the CU has branches - Emmaus Center in Ellsworth, the Bangor Homeless Shelter, and the Shaw House, both in Bangor. A spokesperson for the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter called the donation an "awesome project. Thank you Seaboard FCU for the socks. Warm feet are happy feet and mean a lot to our shelter guest."
Jon Paradise, Vice President of Governmental and Public Affairs for the Maine CU League, said both projects and contributions "symbolize the commitment that credit unions have to their communities. For credit unions, providing financial services to their members is just one part of being part of a community."