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From left to right: Kim Turner, Brenda Bryant, Stephanie Nichols, Jannell Pomeroy, Carrie Judd, Kimberly Couture, Sarah Hayes, Lindsay Castonguay, and Courtney Nightingale.
Nine OTIS FCU employees celebrated International Credit Union Day by performing Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) throughout the week in communities within the credit union’s field of membership. Employees surprised individuals and organizations with groceries, gas, meals, baked goods, fuel assistance, donations, and more!
“This is the second International Credit Union Day that OTIS FCU has commemorated with a week-long Random Acts of Kindness campaign, and we are thrilled that we have more than doubled the number of those participating here at the credit union,” shared Sarah Hayes, Director of Marketing and Communications at OTIS FCU. “The last year and a half has proven to be difficult and trying for so many. We couldn’t think of a more appropriate time than now to take to the community and to spread some love and kindness. At OTIS, and at credit unions throughout the world, People Helping People is what we do every day— it is our ‘why’—our reason for being. With our RAK campaign, we wanted to take that help one step further and really demonstrate to those living within our field of membership what being part of a credit union community is all about.”
Spreading Kindness
OTIS FCU President/CEO Kim Turner covered the towns of New Vineyard, Carrabassett Valley, and Kingfield, making surprise grocery purchases at Mountainside Grocers and Ayotte’s Country Store in Carrabassett Valley. At Irving in Kingfield, Turner filled an unsuspecting woman’s gas tank. At Our Village Market in New Vineyard, she not only paid for the food order of a gentleman in line, but also covered the cost of outstanding orders.
“The RAK that completely made my afternoon was done while stopping into Dead River in Kingfield to anonymously pay $100 towards the fuel bill of an area mother of three who is currently battling cancer,” said Turner. “There are no words to explain how touched I was to be able to do this.”
Hayes visited Phillips and Rangeley for her RAK. She donated a $100 to the Rangeley Friends of the Arts CASA (Creative After School Arts) Program, housed at the Lakeside Theater in Rangeley. She also spent her funds surprising shoppers at the Rangeley IGA and at Edmunds Market in Phillips.
Teller Stephanie Nichols and Loan Officer Lindsay Castonguay traveled to Jay and Livermore Falls. They purchased pastries from local business Chretien’s Kitchen and delivered the treats to the four schools in RSU 73. Nichols and Castonguay also purchased groceries and gas for various individuals at Hannaford in Jay, Food City in Livermore Falls, and CN Brown in Livermore Falls.
Teller/Supervisor Brenda Bryant and Teller Courtney Nightingale spread kindness throughout Turner, Livermore, and Jay. They paid for a meal at Terry & Maxine’s in Turner and visited Greenwood Orchards to pick up pies, breads, cookies, and gallons of cider. From there, Bryant and Nightingale surprised staff at the Livermore Town Office, the Turner Fire Department, and the Turner Vet Clinic. The pair ended their day by purchasing groceries for a woman at Hannaford in Jay and paying for a woman’s gas at Jay Diesel Gas.
Collections/Payment Specialist Kimberly Couture covered Jay, Wilton, and Farmington. She was accompanied by her husband Joseph M. Couture II, a longtime OTIS FCU member. After purchasing groceries at Hannaford, the Coutures made surprise deliveries to the Wilton Area Food Pantry and to the Care and Share Food Closet in Farmington. The two then stopped at Dunkin’ Donuts in Farmington to purchase a Box O’ Joe, donuts, and muffins for a special delivery to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department.
Teller Supervisor Carrie Judd and Teller Jannell Pomeroy traveled to the communities of Hartford and Canton. After picking up four boxes of baked goods from Berry Fruit Farm in Livermore Falls, Judd and Pomeroy made surprise deliveries to Hartford Elementary School, Pinnacle Rehabilitation Center in Canton, employees at Canton Variety, and linemen working in the rain in Canton. They also surprised various individuals throughout the area by paying for their gas and groceries.
A Day to Remember
“International Credit Union Day is a great time to reflect on the mission of credit unions throughout the world and to be part of a movement that is not only focused on helping consumers be financially savvy, but one that has a deep concern for the success of the communities that credit unions exist in and serve,” shared Turner. “By being out in the communities we serve, providing Random Acts of Kindness, especially on International Credit Union Day, it was a win-win for everyone!”