CU News & Events – March Edition

April 5, 2023 |

Spring has sprung, and Maine’s credit unions are hard at work supporting the needs of their communities. With sponsorship opportunities, volunteering, and in-person Financial Fitness Fairs ramping up again, credit unions are connecting with community residents and organizations in fun and exciting ways. Below, our League provides a snapshot of what some of our credit unions were up to in March.

  • Staff members hit big work milestones at Acadia FCU. Karen Bouchard celebrated her 30th anniversary at the credit union, and Beverly Cote reached 15 years. Congratulations and thank you both for your dedication to your credit union!
  • Atlantic FCU hosted a Home Buyer Seminar on March 22, offering valuable tips and insights for purchasing a home.
  • On March 26, Bangor FCU held its Annual Meeting, elected new officers to the Board of Directors, and discussed what is ahead for the credit union in 2023.
  • Brewer FCU began collecting canned meat as part of a food drive to restock the CHEFS food pantry in Holden. The drive is continuing this month.
  • Strike! Capital Area FCU bowled for Special Olympics Maine at Sparetime Recreation, raising $850.
  • Casco FCU spent time volunteering at the Auburn Good Shepherd Food Bank (GSFB) distribution center. The team packed 4,165 pounds of food (3,471 meals), and they presented GSFB with a check for $11,149.01. Casco FCU also delivered a combined total of $12,000 to area food pantries to keep them well-stocked and the community fed.
  • Changing Seasons FCU sponsored the Bangor Maine Veterans’ Home’s February birthday party for residents, making them feel extra special and loved for their day.
  • Coast Line CU’s winter newsletter reminds members about their upcoming Annual Meeting in April.
  • On March 21, Community CU enjoyed joining with other volunteers for the Norm Nolette Chapter’s Financial Fitness Fair.
  • The Kennebec Valley Chapter hosted a Financial Fitness Fair at Madison Area Memorial High School, where staff from Connected CU helped teach students the importance of managing their personal finances.
  • cPort Spirit Week took place at cPort CU, with staff shaking off the winter chill and welcoming spring with a new theme each day of the week.
  • Cumberland County FCU shared information with members about how to spot, avoid, and report scams in recognition of the Federal Trade Commission’s National Consumer Protection Week.
  • Dirigo FCU engaged with members about Maine Maple Sunday.
  • Two volunteers from Downeast CU participated in the Hancock County Technical Center Financial Fitness Fair.
  • Eastmill FCU reminded graduating seniors of their $500 scholarship opportunity in their newsletter.
  • Evergreen CU continued featuring local businesses on Facebook in their Community Partner Spotlight, including Portland Trails, PROPEL Portland, the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, and the Maine Brewers’ Guild.
  • Five County CU celebrated the creation of Maine Harvest Solutions with the Maine Farmland Trust and made a $20,000 donation to them and their partner, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.
  • In an effort to support the needs of the Kennebec Valley Humane Society’s furry friends, Gardiner FCU held a pet supply drive throughout the month of March.
  • Early in March, Great Falls FCU’s Monmouth staff hosted their first post-pandemic Neighbors Helping Neighbors Community Supper at the Packard Activity Center. Staff served meals to over 50 Monmouth residents.
  • To honor Women’s History Month, Infinity CU highlighted influential women in finance throughout the month on social media.
  • Katahdin FCU and the Millinocket Library are sponsoring a series of financial literacy workshops, and the credit union recently held one on how to protect yourself from fraud.
  • KSW FCU attended the Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours on March 15 for networking and community relationship building.
  • A new digital banking experience arrived for members of KV FCU.
  • With Tax Day right around the corner, Lincoln Maine FCU encouraged members to get their taxes filed sooner rather than later.
  • Lisbon Community FCU pushed for high school seniors to apply for one of their four $1,000 scholarships, with an application deadline of May 1 quickly approaching.
  • Eighty-one members joined Maine Highlands FCU on the slopes for a Member Free Ski Day. Monty Moose paid a visit, and there was a drawing for door prizes.
  • Representatives from Maine Savings FCU participated in career fairs at the University of Maine and Husson University to get to know students and teach them about credit union career opportunities.
  • Maine State CU sent two volunteers to represent the credit union and assist with the Special Olympics on March 1.
  • On the first Friday of every month, Chandra Thoits from Midcoast FCU volunteers her time to prepare meals for the Freeport Community Services’ First Friday Free Lunch Program. Her cooking is so popular among those who attend that they request her recipes. Nice work, Chandra!
  • New Dimensions FCU spent time delivering fundraising proceeds to local hunger relief organizations in the community.
  • NorState FCU announced their cash calendar winners each day of March.
  • As part of their tradition to do an Afternoon of Giving for each of their New Hire Orientations, Northeast CU assisted Gather with their Mobile Food Market.
  • Otis FCU named Nathan, the credit union’s IS/IT Specialist, as its March A.W.E (Amazing Work Employee) winner. Nathan was recognized by management for going above and beyond to not only assist employees with their tech needs, but members as well. As the March A.W.E., he was given a gift as well as a specially designated parking space for the month of April. Congratulations!
  • Oxford FCU proudly announced they were ranked #83 in the top-performing 100 credit unions in the country according to the 2022 S&P Global Market Intelligence Ranking, which assesses the performance of community banks and nearly 5,000 credit unions across the nation. Congratulations, Team Oxford!
  • Scholarship applications were accepted at Penobscot County FCU, who will award $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors within the credit union’s field of membership.
  • PeoplesChoice CU began their Charge to End Hunger in Maine initiative, a new program offering 24/7 public access to electric vehicle charging stations at four of their Southern Maine locations. 100% of all funds from every charge benefit the Campaign for Ending Hunger.
  • A bake sale and Pot of Gold 50/50 Raffle took place at Sabattus Regional CU on St. Patrick’s Day to support Special Olympics Maine.
  • Saco Valley CU was the meal sponsor for the Saco Meals Program. They sent a few volunteers to assist with serving homemade chicken pot pie, fresh fruit salad, and freshly baked chocolate cake.
  • Employees from Seaboard FCU participated in the Financial Fitness Fair at Hancock County Technical Center on March 9.
  • Sebasticook Valley FCU reminded members that their funds are safe with the credit union amidst the flurry of worries after the Silicon Valley Bank shutdown.
  • The County FCU brought a fun basket to the 4th Annual Aroostook Shrine Club’s Spring Basket Feztival at the Northeastland Hotel. The basket included dozens of outdoor toys to get kids ready to get some fresh air as the weather warms up.
  • Town & Country FCU recently sponsored the 29th annual C-U Swish-Out Childhood Cancer Challenge. Thanks to the support of Synergent and several area credit unions, the event raised a record-setting $58,000 for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. Since Swish-Out was launched in 1994, the event has raised nearly $710K.
  • As a result of their 202 fundraising efforts, Trademark FCU was thrilled to present Hall-Dale Elementary School with a check for over $1,000 to help fund snacks for students, backpack programs, and other hunger-related initiatives.
  • TruChoice FCU opened its 2023 scholarship application and announced they will be awarding four $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors.
  • A Board Member for Maine Homeworks visited University CU’s Operations Center to present an award recognizing the credit union as a Gold Sponsor and thanking them for being partners in supporting the education of homebuyers in Maine.
  • Winthrop Area FCU raffled off a “pot of gold” to benefit the Winthrop Community Fund.