CU News & Events – September Edition

October 2, 2024 |

With the start of the cozy, crisp fall season also comes great opportunities to connect at festivals, bake sales, and a multitude of other community events that credit unions love to both host and support! September was a busy month for Maine’s credit unions; below, our League outlines some of the activities our credit unions were involved in to uplift their communities.

  • Acadia FCU warned members on social media of deceptive ways fraudsters take advantage of individuals’ fear or other strong emotions to cause impulsive reactions. They also shared tips for spotting these incidents and staying safe from scams. 
  • This baseball season, Atlantic FCU committed to donating $10 to Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger for every homerun scored by the Portland Sea Dogs. As the season wrapped up, the credit union announced it donated $7,110 for each of the 711 runs scored by the team! 
  • September 30 marked the official start date for Bangor FCU’s food drive for Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry.
  • The team at Brewer FCU announced its upcoming Disc Golf Tournament to End Hunger, taking place on October 20 in Orrington. There is still time to sign up and join them for a day of fun and charity!
  • On social media, Capital Area FCU alerted members to think before scanning a QR code, as scammers commonly use QR codes to steal personal information. The credit union suggested a few tips for protecting information, such as avoiding scanning unexpected QR codes and using updated software on all devices. 
  • Throughout the month of September, Casco FCU collected donations for their Walk to End Hunger, which took place on September 28.  
  • Community CU sold bouquets of sunflowers, supported by entrepreneurs Chickswell & Beans Sunflowers, to benefit the Campaign for Ending Hunger. 
  • All month long, Connected CU’s Winslow branch raised money for the Waterville Area Soup Kitchen. 
  • cPort CU was featured as a Gold Sponsor for ProsperityME’s 2024 Block Party, continuing their efforts to uplift refugee and immigrant communities as they build financial stability. 
  • Staff from Cumberland County FCU manned a booth a the New Gloucester Community Fair on September 7, giving away free goodies and offering attendees the opportunity to guess the “Cash in a Jar.” 
  • On September 14, Dirigo FCU hosted their Portraits in the Park fundraiser at Lake Grove Park in Auburn. They partnered with a local photography company, Fable & Faire, to offer portraits in support of the Campaign for Ending Hunger. 
  • A team from Downeast CU rallied together on September 28 at the Bangor Waterfront for the 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer’s. They were the 9th largest fundraising team, contributing over $1,500 to the cause. In total, the event raised nearly $67,000! 
  • Empeople CU excitedly welcomed the fall season by hosting a movie night at The Hill Arts in Portland. Hocus Pocus was the featured film, and attendees enjoyed popcorn and bracelet making with the movie. 
  • Evergreen CU donated a total of $745 to the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland as a result of its commitment to donate $10 for every hit or $25 for every homerun scored by the Portland Sea Dogs’ 5th batter at home this season. 
  • On September 20, Five County CU sponsored free balloon animals at Maine’s Harvest Festival, which took place at the Farmington Fairgrounds. 
  • Throughout the month, Gardiner FCU collected nonperishable food items for the Tiger Food Pantry at their local high school. 
  • The demolition of Great Falls FCU’s Auburn branch began! The credit union is looking forward to improving their members’ experience with their new branch. 
  • At the beginning of the month, HRCU’s EVP & Chief Operating Officer, Rosemary Shields, officially retired after 24 years of service to the credit union and its members. Best wishes in your retirement, Rosemary! 
  • Katahdin FCU sponsored its golf tournament to benefit the Campaign for Ending Hunger at Hillcrest Golf Club in Millinocket in September. Thanks to their sponsors, golfers, and staff, they raised over $10,000 for the cause! 
  • KSW FCU took time to prep their cash calendar fundraiser to benefit Special Olympics Maine and the Campaign for Ending Hunger. Stop by their Waterville or Belfast branch to purchase a ticket during the month of October.
  • KV FCU branch locations ran a school supply drive to help local children find success in their education. 
  • Lighthouse CU was thrilled to announce the return of the Nourish Network 5K Event Series, which kicked off on September 21 and 22. Back-to-back races supported Lydia’s House of Hope and Connor’s Climb Foundation respectively. Two more races are scheduled in October and November, both in Maine. 
  • Save the date! Lincoln Maine FCU invited members to join them for a Fall Festival and International Credit Union Day celebration taking place on October 17. 
  • September 20 was a fun-filled Member Appreciation Day at Lisbon Community FCU! The credit union offered a free hot dog lunch, hourly giveaways, and member gifts. 
  • Staff from Maine Family FCU volunteered time with Good Shepherd Food Bank. In total, the team packed 3,524 pounds of food, which provides 3,379 meals for Mainers in need. 
  • Maine Highlands FCU celebrated the quarter’s employee anniversaries in its newsletter. 
  • Sonya and Brianna, tellers from Maine Savings FCU’s Ellsworth branch, delivered supplies to Beech Hill School and Lamoine Consolidated School as part of a back-to-school supplies drive held at their branch.
  • On their website, Maine Solutions FCU congratulated Paul Fournier for being their $100 survey raffle winner. 
  • Maine State CU presented a donation to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to support their mission of “Mental Health for All” ahead of their NAMIWalks Maine initiative that occurred on September 28 in Augusta. 
  • Congratulations to the team at Midcoast FCU! The credit union was voted the 2024 “Best Financial Services in the Mid Coast” and were finalists for the “Best Credit Union in the Mid Coast” by voters in The Times Record for their Best of the Mid Coast awards.  
  • Milestones FCU informed members on their website that they may start receiving texts or calls regarding potentially fraudulent transactions as an extra measure to safeguard members’ personal and financial information. 
  • To benefit two organizations New Dimensions FCU cares deeply about, they welcomed fall with an apple-themed bake sale. All proceeds were directed to Special Olympics Maine and the Campaign for Ending Hunger. 
  • NorState FCU wrapped their popular Music in the Park series at the beginning of the month. They are looking forward to bringing the community together for this series again next summer! 
  • OTIS FCU renewed their Corporate Champion Circle sponsorship and provided a $1,500 donation to the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area. 
  • Dixfield Discount Fuel, Inc. received a $3,000 donation from Oxford FCU to be split between their upcoming Toy Drive and their Help Fuel Our Community fund. 
  • Penobscot County FCU participated in Riverfest 2024 and raised money for the Campaign for Ending Hunger with their dunk booth. They brought in over $500 in just a few short hours.  
  • PeoplesChoice CU introduced PCU Debit Card Management to help members be on top of their cards remotely with ease. 
  • What better way to ring in the fall season than with a new, cozy Yankee Candle? Sabattus Regional CU began selling an array of fall fragrances to add the perfect fall touch to members’ homes. Proceeds from the candle sales will benefit the Campaign for Ending Hunger. 
  • On September 26, Seaboard FCU sponsored the 8th Annual International Maritime Film Festival at The Alamo Theater in Bucksport. 
  • Given the high volume of scams going around, Sebasticook Valley FCU dedicated one week to highlighting tips to avoid scams on their social media, giving members ample information on staying protected. 
  • The County FCU invited the community to join them on October 5 for a day filled with fun for all ages at their Annual Fall Festival to End Hunger—complete with a golf scramble, an ATV ride, music, food trucks, auction items, and more. 
  • Staff from Town & Country FCU volunteered time with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland working on a new house in South Portland. The credit union is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity and the work they do to provide affordable housing. 
  • Trademark FCU sponsored the 58th Annual CMP Employees’ Golf Tournament, which they have done for over 12 years. 
  • TruChoice FCU continued nearly three decades of sponsoring the Maine Children’s Cancer Program’s charity walk in Payson Park, helping support children with cancer and blood disorders. 
  • At the beginning of September, University CU and CU Insurance Solutions hosted the second leg of their Biggest Little Mini Golf Tournament to benefit Special Olympics Maine.  
  • Winthrop Area FCU celebrated special staff birthdays throughout the month.