News from around the region

Cornerstone League recognizes member credit unions and chapters sharing news about their growth, expansion, and community endeavors to exemplify the “people helping people” philosophy.

New Bethel Church and True Sky FCU battle food insecurity

New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church and True Sky Federal Credit Union recognized a need in their Northeast Oklahoma City neighborhood and are collaborating on a food pantry where much-needed fresh food is scarce. They opened their doors last week, offering several additional resources to help people in the community.

New Bethel Church is in the heart of Northeast Oklahoma City, off NE 23rd and Missouri Ave, just steps away from True Sky FCU. The community is considered a food desert, said Rev. James Greenwood, pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church. He notes that the population of this area of town is older, and many people don't have transportation.

With the help of a $10,000 National Credit Union Foundation grant and a $150,000 Oklahoma Innovation Grant, the food pantry got off on the right foot. But they knew that with food insecurity, other neighborhood problems are more likely, so they worked with community partners to add additional resources and generally improve the conditions for Northeast Oklahoma City.

“We knew that we could do more than just meet food needs,” said Daniel Garcia, the director of multicultural strategy at True Sky. “We decided to try to work toward making a Multi Resource Center.”

“True Sky FCU’s Board of Directors is so proud to help the community in this way, and stamp out food insecurity, wherever and however we can,” said True Sky President/CEO Sean Cahill. “We believe that the credit union mantra of ‘people helping people’ extends far past just financial situations, and we are excited to be a small part of that solution with our Sky Crew at the Food Pantry.”

Cahill also shared that several months ago the credit union donated a building to Davenport School District to be turned into a HeadStart program for children ages 0–5. Cahill said the building will serve a vital need in the rural community, and True Sky employees will be volunteering the construction sweat equity to make that a reality.

Learn more about this True Sky partnership.

Space City Charities annual golf fundraiser raises $46,600

Space City Charities and its title sponsors, S&W Energy Solutions and Space City Credit Union, announce a successful 14th annual Wolf Scholarship Golf Classic.

The annual tournament was held in October at Tour 18 in Humble, Texas, where the credit union hosted over 120 participants. Breakfast and lunch, along with a silent auction, were offered to the golfers.

Funds raised amounted to $46,600 (net), which will be available to Space City’s 2024 Scholarship Award applicants. With the addition of these funds, in 2024 the Wolf Scholarship Golf Classic will surpass $330,000 in scholarships awarded. Scholarships range from $2,500 to $10,000.

The Annual Wolf Scholarship Golf Classic was established in 2010 to honor Verna Wolf who served on the board of Space City Credit Union for 40 years (1965–2005). Wolf passed in 2016, and this golf tournament continues to honor her dedication to the credit union movement and the philosophy of "people helping people."

Those interested in applying for a 2024 Scholarship are encouraged to follow Space City Credit Union on Facebook and X. The next application process will open early in 2024 for distribution prior to the fall semester.

Meritrust CU continues partnership with NBA's Gradey Dick

Meritrust Credit Union announced its continued partnership with basketball star Gradey Dick. Gradey was drafted 13th to the Toronto Raptors in June of 2023. The draft launched him into the international spotlight, but his roots are still firmly set in Wichita.

“Our recent experience with Gradey, a native Wichitan and former KU men’s basketball player, began as a NIL partnership” said Meritrust SVP/Chief Growth Officer Jamie Harrison. “It was such a success that we have extended the relationship to continue exploring his financial journey. We understand the importance of each individual story and know this partnership will continue to help others take the steps they need to become the authors of their financial future.” 

The partnership will focus on Gradey’s evolving “Money Story” and the role Meritrust continues to play in his financial well-being. As the financial well-being partner for several regional universities, Meritrust routinely hosts financial education courses to help student-athletes. The topics of these classes vary but include foundational topics such as budgeting, debt management, and money and stress.

Meritrust’s passion for financial education aligns perfectly with the NIL partnerships they create with local and Kansas homegrown student-athletes. Part of the collaboration will also include Gradey’s Gang, Dick’s Philanthropic initiative, which encourages sports as a positive outlet for young kids.

Central Texas Chapter donates Toys for Tots

The Central Texas Chapter of Credit Unions collected toy donations from their recent meeting. The group delivered the toys to the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Warehouse in Waco, Texas.

This facility collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November, and December and distributes them as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community. 

The goal of the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign is to help children experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources, our kids; and to unite members of local communities in a common cause during the annual toy collection and distribution.