CU News and Events – December Edition

Maine’s credit unions spread ample holiday cheer this past December. Whether it was collecting donations and gifts for charities and families or engaging in holiday fun, members and local communities remained top priorities. Our League provides a snapshot of what some of our credit unions were up to last month.

• December 16 brought Acadia FCU some ugly sweater fun. The credit union donated $5 to the Campaign for Ending Hunger for every employee who showed up for work in an “ugly” Christmas sweater. Additionally, for every employee who chose to donate $5, Acadia FCU matched their donation.
• Atlantic FCU announced the success of its holiday fundraiser, bringing in over $40,000 for the Campaign for Ending Hunger.
• Bangor FCU continued collecting donations for Maine Credit Unions’ Holiday Meals for Mainers initiative. The credit union also sold Bangor Federal swag, with proceeds benefitting the Campaign.
• Brewer FCU once again partnered with Hands of Hope for their A Smile of a Child Christmas Program. Trees were up in each branch with tags listing the names of children who needed some Christmas spirit sent their way.
• Through the beginning of the month, Capital Area FCU held a silent auction to raise money for Special Olympics Maine.
• Casco FCU’s Patty Kenney celebrated 28 years with the credit union on December 5. Thank you for your many years of hard work and dedication to your credit union and members, Patty!
• Daily Christmas trivia came to Central Maine FCU! The first person who went in the branch and answered the daily question correctly won a $10 Dunkin Donuts gift card.
• In Hampden, Changing Seasons FCU collected donations for Toys for Tots.
• In its 2023 winter newsletter, Coast Line CU announced that its Nominating Committee filed two candidates with the clerk of the credit union for two directors’ seats that will become vacant at their 97^th Annual Meeting in April.
• Community CU sent their elves into the community to spread holiday cheer in their local neighborhoods. They delivered sweet treats, dispersed cold weather clothing, handed out gift cards, and more.
• Connected CU announced the launch of their new digital banking experience coming in January.
• Employees of cPort CU chose various charities and recipients to donate to this holiday season: Project G.R.A.C.E., the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, Equality Maine, a family in the Augusta school system, and Maine Needs. Each recipient was chosen by a different branch of the credit union based on their vision and values of promoting education, health and wellness, and ending hunger.
• Non-perishable food items were collected at Cumberland County FCU to bring to food organizations along with monetary donations in January.
• Dirigo FCU reached 25,000 members. Congratulations on this milestone!
• Anna from Good Shepherd Food Bank stopped by Downeast CU’s new Brewer branch to meet the team and was presented with a $1,000 donation to help provide 2,000 meals in their area.
• Evergreen CU’s Naples branch raised $1,500 from their business members to “adopt” six children from Naples and Casco for their Christmas for Kids event. They had enough funds to give gifts to three members in need as well.
• Community members and staff at Five County CU came together to collect and donate cold weather items to those needing extra warmth this winter.
• Kaylee from Gardiner FCU completed the six-part Certified Teller Specialist training series provided by the Maine Credit Union League. Congratulations on your accomplishment, Kaylee!
• Great Falls FCU warned their members about scammers who were posing as television and internet providers with claims they could lower monthly bills in exchange for prepayments.
• Infinity CU offered tips for starting 2023 off on the right financial foot.
• Katahdin FCU sponsored the Katahdin Festival of Trees and also participated with a tree decorated in the theme of The Little Mermaid, complete with assorted toys and underwater novelty items.
• Staff from KSW FCU delivered a big pile of gifts to the Maine Children’s Home and thanked members for their generous donations.
• KV FCU announced their daily cash calendar winners. Calendars were sold to benefit the Campaign for Ending Hunger.
• Penny the Elf engaged members in festive fun on Lincoln Maine FCU’s social media.
• Lisbon Community FCU’s Elf on the Shelf, Merry Belle, led a holiday themed “Guess That Movie” game for members to play.
• Maine Family FCU celebrated dreary, cold winter weather with Christmas sweaters before the long holiday weekend.
• On December 12, Maine Harvest FCU officially became a part of Five County CU.
• Maine Savings FCU staff participated in a holiday spirit week.
• From December 5 to December 12, Maine State CU held an online auction to end hunger in Maine, encouraging members to shop for a loved one and support a great cause simultaneously.
• Tena and Amanda from Midcoast FCU visited local businesses in Edgecomb and handed out homemade goodies on December 23.
• On their website, Milestones FCU began promoting their Winter 2023 Skip-A-Payment.
• New Dimensions FCU sold Santa Dollars this holiday season. A $4 purchase secured a Christmas card, an envelope, and a Santa $2 bill, making a great stocking stuffer for kids.
• December 31 wrapped up NorState FCU’s Hope for the Holidays Food Drive that began in mid-November.
• Staff from Northeast CU helped the NH Food Bank in Manchester, New Hampshire, send out handwritten thank you cards to donors across the state for their support over the year.
• OTIS FCU hosted an art reception for the Spruce Mountain Elementary 4^th graders. Students’ artwork was on display and they could stop by to take photos with their families and finished pieces.
• Oxford FCU wished Deb Belskis a happy retirement after more than 30 years of service. Thank you, Deb, and enjoy your well-deserved retirement!
• In December, PeoplesChoice CU gave each staff member $50 to provide the “Gift of Giving” to a chosen community member. Staff found creative ways to use their funds, and some even pooled their money together to make larger donations. For example, two employees covered the adoption fee for a dog who had been at The Animal Welfare Society of Kennebunk for some time, adding even more joy to the family growing by four paws.
• Tips for avoiding scams were shared online by Sabattus Regional CU.
• Seaboard FCU shared helpful tips online for first-time homebuyers navigating the housing market, hoping to ease the stress of a big decision.
• Winners of the Holiday Cash Calendar 2022 were pulled daily at Sebasticook Valley FCU.
• The County FCU happily supported the St. Apollonia Festival of Trees at the Aroostook Centre Mall the weekend of December 2.
• Town & Country FCU donated $5,500 to help seven hunger-related organizations in Cumberland and York counties. The funds enabled the organizations to provide nearly 20,000 meals to children and families over the holidays. The donations went to organizations including The Locker Project, food pantries in South Portland and Scarborough, Preble Street in Portland, and the Wayside Food Program in Portland.
• On social media, Trademark FCU encouraged members to notify the credit union if they had plans to travel to avoid fraudulent alerts on their account(s).
• TruChoice FCU celebrated 35 years with their “Ray of sunshine” on December 28. Kind words and celebratory remarks were shared on Facebook to thank Ray for his many years with the credit union. Thank you and congratulations on 35 years, Ray!
• December 17 was Wreaths Across America Day, and University CU took part in the celebration. Back on Veteran’s Day, the credit union sponsored Patriot Pair wreaths for every employee. For every wreath received, a paired wreath was placed in Arlington National Cemetery to honor a veteran as part of National Wreaths Across America Day.
• Winthrop Area FCU held a snowman raffle, providing participants the chance to win an adorable snowman decoration and numerous scratch tickets. All proceeds benefitted the Winthrop Community Fund.