CU News & Events – December Edition

December 30, 2025 |

The season of giving was in full swing for Maine’s credit unions! From holiday celebrations and community-focused fundraisers to donations for neighbors in need, the credit union movement embraced the spirit of People Helping People. Below is a snapshot of what some of Maine’s credit unions were up to in December. 

  • Acadia FCU facilitated festive fundraising on December 19, donating $5 to Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger for each employee who came in wearing an “ugly” holiday sweater—perfectly timed for National Ugly Sweater Day. 
  • Employees and board members of Ancorum CU banded together to donate $1,500 to the Midcoast Youth Center on behalf of their CEO, Julie Marquis. The credit union is proud to support the amazing work the organization does for the youth in their local communities. 
  • Atlantic FCU made an exciting announcement: thanks to members using their Atlantic Visa credit cards, the credit union donated $20,000 to the Campaign for Ending Hunger. 
  • Holidays were made brighter for kids in foster care, courtesy of Bangor FCU. The credit union donated Christmas gifts for 17 children, stockings for ten more, and presented the Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine, Inc. and The Kinship Program with a check for $470 to bolster their efforts ahead of the holidays. 
  • On social media, Brewer FCU reminded members who were completing their holiday shopping online to stay alert and watch for secure websites, avoid too-good-to-be-true deals, and keep personal account information protected. Shopping online is a great convenience when done safely. 
  • Capital Area FCU helped two local veterans by working with their local fuel company to fill their tanks for the winter, doing what they can to help those in their community.  
  • Patty and Sara from Casco FCU joined their credit union chapter in presenting a Financial Fitness Fair to the students at Windham High School on December 15. 
  • If you drive by Central Maine FCU, you’ll notice their vibrant new exterior lighting display, which was recently added—creating an even more welcoming environment for their members.
  • In their winter 2026 newsletter, Coast Line CU shared five smart tips to maximize tax refunds. 
  • Community CU served as a Stuff the Bus 2025 public collection site through December 8, helping the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce collect contributions to make a difference and spread holiday joy. 
  • Local handmade goods were sold at Connected CU to raise money for the Campaign for Ending Hunger. 
  • cPort CU secured first place overall in CU Insurance Solution’s second annual CU Give Back GAP Challenge. As a result, CU Insurance Solutions provided an $8,500 donation to an organization of the credit union’s choosing: Good Shepherd Food Bank. 
  • On December 13, Cumberland County FCU hosted their second annual Pickleball Tournament, which was a huge success! While final results are still being tallied, the credit union will direct all proceeds to the Campaign for Ending Hunger. 
  • Dirigo FCU continued their tradition of supporting the Salvation Army’s Adopt-a-Family program, sponsoring six families with three children each this year. 
  • Alongside their Bangor Chapter peers, Downeast CU participated in bringing a Financial Fitness Fair to Searsport High School. 
  • Eastmill FCU’s East Millinocket office had a special visitor stop by their lobby on December 19. Santa took time out of his busy schedule to say hello to members before the Christmas holiday.
  • Empeople CU encouraged their members to partake in their 12 Days of Mindful Money Budgeting Challenge—a perfect way to be set up for success in 2026. 
  • Evergreen CU helped WinterKids kick off the season at their Welcome to Winter event at Lost Valley in Auburn. 
  • As a fundraiser for the Campaign for Ending Hunger, Franklin-Somerset FCU sold dog and cat treats as well as holiday cookie mixes.
  • In support of a local area shelter, Gardiner FCU’s Winter Supply Drive collected much-needed cold weather items. 
  • On December 3, Great Falls FCU welcomed members for their all-day Open House at their brand-new branch in Auburn. 
  • HRCU’s 11th annual Christmas Caring Campaign supported 42 local nonprofits, including 25 food pantries and shelters. 
  • Katahdin FCU participated in the “Keeping Our Young Neighbors Warm” campaign by collecting new hats and mittens. These items were paired with jackets donated by Brookfield Renewable. In total, 88 sets were shared with children in need across the Katahdin region.
  • December 22 brought about KSW FCU’s Christmas Bake Sale, with funds raised benefiting the Campaign for Ending Hunger and Special Olympics Maine. 
  • Incredible results from KV FCU’s 2025 Cash Calendar Raffle were announced, with $15,760 raised! 
  • Lighthouse CU dedicated the month to coordinating a food drive, accepting nonperishables and baby items to support local pantries. 
  • Toys for Tots donations were collected by Lincoln Maine FCU until December 12. 
  • The Holiday Cart returned to Lisbon Community FCU, serving as a fundraiser for the Campaign for Ending Hunger. Handmade goodies were crafted by staff and members and were sold for $5 each. 
  • Maine Family FCU and their members gathered donations for the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce’s Stuff the Bus initiative. 
  • Maria and Emilee from Maine Highlands FCU attended Tri-County Technical Center’s luncheon celebrating the one-year anniversary of their welding program. 
  • Maine Savings FCU proudly sponsored the KidsPeace Giving Tree this year, helping bring comfort and joy to children and families in their nearby communities. 
  • The Maine Solutions FCU website alerted members of holiday closures, helping them plan their financial needs in advance. 
  • Ahead of the holiday and in celebration of their 90th anniversary, Maine State CU gave away holiday baskets filled with festive goodies and more at all branch locations. 
  • Midcoast FCU encouraged youth account deposits and new youth account openings by holding a drawing for five giant teddy bears—with five winners drawn on December 19. 
  • On December 3, New Dimensions FCU sold bowls of soup with bread or crackers for $7. All funds benefited Special Olympics Maine and the Campaign for Ending Hunger. 
  • Different NorState FCU locations ran various in-branch fundraisers throughout December, all in support of the Campaign for Ending Hunger. Fundraisers included a holiday quilt raffle, a Santa’s Surprise raffle, an opportunity to win 100 gallons of fuel, and an ornament sale. 
  • To offer much-needed assistance to Good Shepherd Food Bank, OTIS FCU conducted their “Food to Fuel Food Drive 2025.” 
  • Oxford FCU coordinated “12 Days of Giving,” where they donated $1,000 each day to a different local organization serving the community. 
  • PeoplesChoice CU enjoyed participating in the Sanford Alumni Association’s Spree of Trees event. 
  • The Annual Christmas Raffle at Sabattus Regional CU raised $1,556 for the Campaign for Ending Hunger. 
  • Friday, December 12 brought a bake sale to Saco Valley CU, who raised funds for Special Olympics Maine. 
  • Volunteers from Seaboard FCU visited Hermon Middle School, bringing the students a JA in a Day experience in partnership with Junior Achievement—demonstrating the connection between in-school education and opportunities for success right here in Maine. 
  • Sebasticook Valley FCU entered a tree in the Valley of Trees Festival at the Perfect Fit Community Center in Corinna. 
  • The County FCU’s 2025 Mitten Tree collected new or handmade cold weather gear (including mittens, gloves, hats, scarves, earmuffs, coats, boots, and blankets) and monetary contributions for donation to the Homeless Services of Aroostook and The Northern Lighthouse. 
  • Town & Country FCU held their third annual “12 Days of Local Giving” initiative during the holiday season with a focus on supporting organizations committed to fighting hunger and food insecurity in their local communities. The credit union awarded a total of $12,000 to twelve local nonprofits across Southern Maine. 
  • Trademark FCU was nominated for the South Portland Economic Development Committee’s December Business Spotlight by the Community School Director at South Portland Middle School. 
  • Throughout the year, TruChoice FCU employees contribute to the TruGiving Fund. In December, the credit union gives these funds back to the community as part of their Season of Giving. This year, employees chose to donate $1,000 each to My Place Teen Center, Good Shepherd Food Bank, and the Center for Grieving Children. 
  • In partnership with the University of Maine’s men’s and women’s ice hockey teams, University CU celebrated game day by collecting nonperishable food items to support the Black Bear Exchange and the Holden Food Pantry. Monetary donations were also accepted for the Campaign for Ending Hunger. 
  • Winthrop Area FCU pulled the winner for their Believe Raffle. Amanda Burnham was this year’s winner!