Print
Jessica and Carter Creedon. Photo courtesy of UCU.
On July 25, University CU (UCU) proudly celebrated the grand opening of their new Saco branch. It was a picture-perfect summer day filled with community spirit, warm welcomes, and joyful smiles. They were honored to be embraced so enthusiastically by the Saco community and beyond.
Coincidentally, the celebration also fell on #ILoveMyCreditUnion Day—a day dedicated to showcasing the powerful, positive impact credit unions have on their members and the communities they serve. What UCU didn’t expect was a moment that truly embodied that spirit, arriving just as the festivities were winding down.
In the final hour of the celebration, a large black Sprinter van pulled into the parking lot. Behind the wheel was Jessica Creedon, beaming with joy, accompanied by her son, Carter. They came not just to join in the celebration, but to share a heartfelt thank you to Branch Manager Shawn and the UCU team.
Jessica and Carter were thrilled to show UCU the van their family had just picked up that afternoon—one made possible with support from their community and financing from the credit union. This van isn’t just transportation; it’s a lifeline for the Creedon family, who have four children with disabilities, including two young daughters who use wheelchairs.
Earlier this summer, the family achieved a long-awaited dream—after a two-year journey of searching and fundraising, they were finally able to purchase a wheelchair-accessible van. But just weeks later, tragedy struck. The van caught fire, and the family barely escaped with their lives.
Jessica and her two sons acted swiftly to rescue 4½-year-old Ellie and 13-year-old Kate, who were strapped into car seats when the fire started. Though miraculously uninjured, the family was devastated by the total loss of their van.
The insurance payout for the van was only $42,000—far short of the $100,000 to $130,000 needed to replace it with a new, accessible vehicle. That’s when the community stepped in. Miranda Napoleone, a close friend and fellow special-needs mom, launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds.
Through the generosity of friends, neighbors, and strangers, nearly $28,000 was raised. But the family still faced a financial gap and the interest rates from the dealership were being quoted in the range of 8.9-11%. This was due to the fact that the vehicle was part of their commercial line despite that it would be used as a family vehicle and not for business.
Then Jessica remembered a recent email from UCU about a special on summer auto loans with rates as low as 3.99% APR for used vehicle loans up to seven years old. A UCU member since 1994 with excellent credit, she reached out to see if UCU could help their family.
They were honored to be part of the solution—providing financing that helped the Creedons get back on the road with a safe, reliable, and accessible vehicle for their family.
“This van isn’t just a vehicle—it’s a symbol of love, hope, and community,” the family shared. “We’ve started calling it ‘The Van That Love Built’ because that’s truly what it is. Every single donation, every encouraging message, every act of support has built a foundation that will carry our family forward—literally and emotionally.”
“There is still more ahead as we move into the next phase—covering the cost of the conversion—but today, we are simply holding deep gratitude for this incredible beginning. Thank you for being part of this story. Thank you for loving our family and thank you for showing us what community looks like,” Jessica expressed in their recent GoFundMe update.
When asked about what she values most as a member of UCU, Jessica explained “Connecting with a real person in a timely manner that feels like family. The personal caring touch makes me feel valued as a person and a member of UCU.”
Jessica and Carter’s visit to the Saco grand opening reminded the UCU team what it means to be part of a credit union: they’re not just there to provide loans—they’re there to support dreams, help rebuild after loss, and stand with their members when it matters most.