CU News and Events – October Edition

November 1, 2023 |

The weather may have cooled off in October, but community engagement heated up at credit unions across the state! Credit unions came together to support organizations and individuals who needed it, and International Credit Union Day celebrations were done in big ways for members and staff. There was hardly a dull moment!

Our League provides a snapshot of what some of our credit unions were up to last month:

  • Acadia FCU held its Member Appreciation Week from October 16 to October 20, treating members to snacks and credit union swag. They also drew winners of $25 Visa gift cards, with one winner per branch at the culmination of the festivities.
  • Over the 2023 baseball season, the Portland Sea Dogs scored 708 home runs—the third most in the Eastern League—and Atlantic FCU donated $10 to the Campaign for Ending Hunger for every run. In total, they donated $7,080!
  • Earlier in the month, Bangor FCU donated both a truckload of food and a check to Loaves and Fishes Ellsworth. Thanks to the generosity of their members, the credit union’s month-long drive proved a success.
  • Brewer FCU celebrated the 75th anniversary of International Credit Union Day on October 19 in a big way by donating $8,000 to their local food pantry, C.H.E.F.S., in Holden. The day also kicked off a month-long food drive for the pantry at the credit union.
  • Capital Area FCU collected cans as part of their International Credit Union Week food drive.
  • Casco FCU coordinated a Stuff the Patty Wagon Food Drive, where they filled up staff member Patty Kenney’s car with a multitude of food and $240 in monetary donations for the Campaign for Ending Hunger. Food and cash donations were distributed to area pantries.
  • A Credit Union Week raffle took place at branch locations of Central Maine FCU. Members had the opportunity to stop by a branch for a chance at winning a gift card to a local restaurant.
  • On its website, Changing Seasons FCU put out a call for volunteers. The credit union is seeking Associate Board members and Supervisory Committee members. Volunteering is a great way to support the credit union movement!
  • Community CU offered financial education to students at New England School of Metalwork on October 24.
  • The Augusta branch of Connected CU offered soup, a roll, and a bottle of water for $5 as part of a fundraiser for the Campaign for Ending Hunger.
  • A team from cPort CU participated in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk.
  • On Tuesday, October 24, Cumberland County FCU hosted its 5th Annual Bag Toss Tourney to benefit the Campaign for Ending Hunger. In addition to the single elimination tournament, they also had raffles, awards, door prizes, food, a Pick a Bottle table, a 50/50, and a cash bar!
  • Member Appreciation Week—and specifically Whoopie Pie Wednesday—came to Dirigo FCU from October 16 – 20.
  • Team members from Downeast CU volunteered at the Woodland Food Mart on October 6 to collect donations for the WQDY-FM Turkey-A-Thon. Every $12 collected allowed for the purchase of one turkey for a local family in need.
  • Eastmill FCU supplied members with free hot dogs, popcorn, and cake to celebrate the big International Credit Union Day 75th anniversary. Staff also held a drawing for Monty Moose members to win a $25 Visa gift card.
  • As part of their latest Community Partners project, “Keeping Maine Wild,” that can be found on their YouTube channel, Evergreen CU promoted the efforts of Portland Trails, Scarborough Land Trust, and Presumpscot Regional Land Trust.
  • Five County CU celebrated International Credit Union Week with a nonperishable food drive and a fun, food-themed staff spirit week to include: “Soup”-er Hero Day, Friend-”chip” Day, Weir-”dough” Day, Avo-”cardio” Day, and Smart “Cookie” Day.
  • Franklin-Somerset FCU participated in Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce’s “Trunk or Treat” held on October 28 at the Skowhegan Community Recreation Center. Three witches and a scarecrow handed out candy to all the costumed participants! They had a blast.
  • Gardiner FCU collected Halloween treats for their friends at the Tiger Food Pantry. The credit union encouraged donations of popcorn, brownie and cake mixes, frosting, and cookies.
  • For International Credit Union Day, Great Falls FCU automatically entered all members for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card.
  • In place of hiring a caterer for their Chapter Dinner, Katahdin FCU’s Social Responsibility Committee cooked the meal and donated proceeds to the Campaign for Ending Hunger. Their most recent dinner was on October 24, and they raised $1,000!
  • For the month of October, KSW FCU held a food drive, with all items being donated to local food banks.
  • KV FCU offered delicious treats from Candy Hollow to members on International Credit Union Day.
  • All of the October fun stopped by Lincoln Maine FCU on October 19! International Credit Union Day and Halloween were combined into one fun celebration. A Halloween party complete with a 50/50 raffle and a nonperishable food drive was enjoyed by all, and anyone who brought five or more items received a credit union-branded hat. The credit union exceeded its goal of 75 items and collected 92!
  • Lisbon Community FCU asked members and the public to head to Facebook and “cast their comment” on their favorite staff-decorated pumpkin. Votes were tallied for both the Lisbon staff as well as the Lewiston staff.
  • An incredibly successful International Credit Union Week took place at Maine Family FCU. Attendance was off the charts, Pinky D’s Poutine Factory food truck catered, Nutty Netties Café supplied dessert, and they had several giveaways including an iPad!
  • A reminder of what the credit union will not ask members for was in Maine Highlands FCU’s fall newsletter to help protect against fraud.
  • Maine Savings FCU proudly announced their sponsorship of this year’s FUSION: Bangor Summit that took place on November 1. The focus of the event is the education of workforce development.
  • On their website, Maine Solutions FCU advised members to plan around the upcoming holiday branch closures, as holiday season is quickly approaching.
  • All branches of Maine State CU hosted their Fall Treats & Eats event. All funds raised through the event will be directed to the Campaign for Ending Hunger.
  • Chandra from Midcoast FCU volunteers her time on the first Friday of every month to help prepare meals for Freeport Community Services. This month, she was joined by her colleague, Lori, and they prepared a sausage, kale, and potato soup. Find the recipe on their Facebook page!
  • Milestones FCU’s website’s home page supplied members with information on how to help support first responders after the violence in Lewiston on October 25.
  • New Dimensions FCU’s Skowhegan staff and their kids had a spooktacular time participating at the Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce’s trunk or treat event on October 28.
  • Excited for the construction of their new headquarters in Dover, New Hampshire, Northeast CU recognized International Credit Union Day with a Wall Smashing Event. They are looking forward to increasing the ways they help the community thrive with the new addition.
  • NorState FCU enjoyed participating in the Aroostook Chapter’s Financial Fitness Fair in Limestone, teaching high school students the ins and outs of budgeting. The credit union joined their colleagues from Acadia FCU, The County FCU, and the Maine Credit Union League.
  • Two Financial Fitness Fairs were offered by OTIS FCU to students at Spruce Mountain High School—first juniors, then sophomores. The students had a lot of fun going through the activities at each fair.
  • Oxford FCU presented “Introduction to Budgeting” for the first time to 7th graders at Dirigo Middle School. The credit union thanks Mrs. Gilbert and her class for the invitation and look forward to returning.
  • For International Credit Union Day, Penobscot County FCU provided members with coffee, donuts, and a $100 gas card raffle.
  • PeoplesChoice CU passed out candy and fun prizes at Saco’s Harvest Pumpkin Festival.
  • A new digital banking experience is available on app stores for members of Sabattus Regional CU.
  • A team of volunteers from Saco Valley CU helped the Saco Meals Program serve meals and presented a $2,500 check during their visit to help sponsor a meal every month for the next year!
  • Seaboard FCU joined in on the spooky season fun at Bucksport’s Ghostport 2023!
  • The Piscataquis Observer featured Sebasticook Valley FCU for the 75th anniversary of International Credit Union Day.
  • The County FCU had a successful first annual Fall Festival to End Hunger on Sunday, October 8. All proceeds benefitted local food pantries and the Meals on Wheels program. BigRock Mountain served as the event’s host.
  • For the third consecutive year, Town & Country FCU has partnered with the Maine Cancer Foundation to launch CheckME, a public service campaign to help expand awareness about the importance of regular cancer screenings. During the month of October, all local television networks carried the CheckME cancer screening messages followed in November by ads on local radio stations.
  • Trademark FCU demonstrated their Halloween spirit by holding a staff costume contest. The credit union engaged their members in the fun, allowing them to vote for their favorite costume on Trademark’s Facebook page.
  • TruChoice FCU showed support for Cumberland County FCU by sending four employees to compete in their Bag Toss Tourney. Mark and Tucker took home second place!
  • Some of the team from University CU attended the annual Paws on Parade event in Bangor. Even some of the credit union’s dogs joined them in support of the Bangor Humane Society!
  • Winthrop Area FCU held a Pink Ladies Raffle and bake sale in branches, with proceeds going to The Pink Ladies Survivors Group—a group of local women diagnosed with breast cancer.