Advocacy, Giving, and Financial Literacy: CUs Lift Communities

Cornerstone League recognizes member credit unions for their growth and community endeavors to exemplify the “people helping people” philosophy.

Advocacy Around the Cornerstone Region

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Green Country Chapter Hosts Lunch-and-Learn

Oklahoma’s Green Country Chapter of Credit Unions hosted a lunch-and-learn on Nov. 7 with approximately 45 people from 12 credit unions. Attendees welcomed Thomas Lewis II, executive director of the Oklahoma Credit Union Association, and Keili McEwen, VP of government affairs at Tinker Federal Credit Union. Both speakers addressed the role of credit unions in governmental affairs, including priority issues, how the election may affect credit unions directly, and how best to advocate for our industry.

AMOCO Hosts Appreciation Luncheon for Elected Officials

AMOCO Federal Credit Union recently hosted an Elected Official Appreciation Luncheon at Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille in Clearlake, Texas. Local credit unions showed appreciation for the lawmakers and highlighted their mutual commitment to bettering the communities they all serve. Cornerstone League was proud to join AMOCO in thanking lawmakers for their support and commitment to protecting and advancing the credit union movement. 

Education CU Foundation Awards Pocket Change Grants to Panhandle Schools

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The Education Credit Union Foundation, based in Amarillo, Texas, awarded 145 Pocket Change Grants for 2024–2025 to dedicated teachers and support staff across the Texas Panhandle. This year’s grants include 84 campuses in 13 counties.

Since its inception in 2009, the Pocket Change Grant program has aimed to empower educators by providing the necessary funds for creative and impactful learning projects. With this year’s grants, the program will reach an exciting milestone, surpassing $1 million in grants to Texas Panhandle teachers.

“Our local educators are key to shaping the future, and we are honored to support their efforts through the Pocket Change Grant program,” said Marcus Smith, president/CEO of Education Credit Union and president of the ECU Foundation board. “By investing in their classrooms, we are investing in the future of our communities.”

The ECU Foundation remains committed to promoting public trust in philanthropy and the value of academic, financial, and cultural learning. The foundation seeks to promote upward socio-economic mobility of children and adults in the Texas Panhandle.

A Decade of Impact: Diamond Lakes FCU Marks 10 Years of Financial Literacy

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Malvern, Ark.-based Diamond Lakes Federal Credit Union marked a milestone in community outreach by visiting Poyen, Ark., for the first time to conduct a highly anticipated reality fair. Partnering with Cornerstone Foundation’s Balanced Life Reality Fair Kit, the event provided invaluable budgeting and personal finance lessons.

This interactive program introduced the participants—portrayed as two-parent households with a newborn baby and debt—to real-world financial scenarios. Each student was assigned a monthly income and challenged to manage childcare, groceries, housing, and discretionary spending expenses. Through this experience, the students learned first-hand the importance of balancing a budget, managing debt, and making sound financial decisions.

The collaborative effort between the credit unions made this Reality Fair particularly noteworthy. Representatives from Hurricane Creek Federal Credit Union and Alcoa Community Federal Credit Union joined Diamond Lakes FCU to demonstrate a unified commitment to financial literacy in the region. They provided essential support and guidance, creating a well-rounded and enriching student experience.

Captain Doye Delacruz, a Diamond Lakes FCU board member, visited Poyen to witness the reality fair. His involvement reflected the credit union’s long-standing dedication to the community, particularly to educating the younger generation about financial responsibility.

This reality fair also marked the 10th year Diamond Lakes has hosted such events for local communities. Over the past decade, these fairs have empowered over 12,000 students and equipped them with the foundational skills to navigate the complexities of adult financial life.

Diamond Lakes continues to invest in financial education and make a meaningful impact across Arkansas to ensure that upcoming generations are well-prepared for their financial futures.