Credit Unions Give Back to Their Communities in Vital Ways

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

OKC Credit Unions Collaborate for ‘CU in the Park’ Featuring CMA Award-winner Jordan Davis

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Nine separate local credit unions came together for the second year in a row to present CU in the Park, a free family-friendly outdoor concert at Scissortail Park in downtown Oklahoma City.

This year’s event, on Sept. 28, featured the multi-platinum country-music artist Jordan Davis and welcomed over 22,000 guests. Country music fans know Davis as a CMA award-winning entertainer who took home the 2024 Song of the Year award for his hit “Next Thing You Know.”

CU in the Park was free for everyone in the community. Attendees began arriving as early as noon for the 7 p.m. showtime, and the outdoor concert had the feel of a fall festival.

All nine credit unions involved agreed that the combined effort and resources resulted in an efficient, measurable boost for credit unions, as well as substantial individual brand-awareness. The event generated an estimated $1,111,091 of economic impact in a single night, as guests from towns all over the region booked hotel rooms, dined at food trucks and restaurants, shopped and made the most of the weekend. 

CU in the Park is jointly presented by:

• Allegiance Credit Union
• Bison Federal Credit Union
• Communication Federal Credit Union
• Credit Union One of Oklahoma
• Municipal Employees Credit Union
• Oklahoma’s Credit Union
• Oklahoma Educators Credit Union
• Tinker Federal Credit Union
• WEOKIE Federal Credit Union

“For Oklahoma credit unions, collaboration and community benefit are in our DNA,” said Communication Federal Credit Union President/CEO Larry Shropshire. “CU in the Park exemplifies how credit unions come together to create great things for Oklahomans.”

“We were thrilled to host this free concert in Oklahoma City for the second year, offering a chance for everyone to enjoy music and learn the value of credit unions in our community,” said Tinker Federal Credit Union President/CEO Dave Willis. “Credit union members are your neighbors, coworkers, and friends.”

How CU in the Park Came Together
The idea for a jointly developed credit union event originated from casual discussions and networking between the marketing teams of seven Oklahoma City credit unions regarding a perceived need to boost awareness for credit unions as a category on the grassroots level.

The marketing teams brainstormed immersive and impactful solutions that could create positive association with the brands and a demonstrable community benefit. A committee was formed to explore the possibilities, develop a budget, reach out to venues, and iron out plans that individual credit union leadership teams could review for approval. The planning process took well over a year before the first event in October of 2023 became a reality. 

Building on the success of 2023, the committee renewed their commitments and began planning the concert for 2024. A committee of marketing and support staff from each of the now nine credit unions met monthly to plan the promotion, logistics, and details of putting the show together. The credit unions each dedicated part of their own marketing resources to fund and execute promotion for the event, including using parts of their advertising schedules in all media, email and social campaigns, and public relations. 

Several committee members arranged to be guests in multiple pre-event on-air interviews with local media, and the group developed a partnership with a top local media outlet to utilize a well-known journalist from the station’s news team to emcee the event and share via their social media. Oklahoma City’s very popular mayor, David Holt, agreed to record a video to share on his social media to promote the event as well. 

“We were happy to put in the extra work and cost to bring something unique to the community,” said Stephen Lark, SVP corporate development for Communication Federal Credit Union. “The results of positive awareness, community benefit, and economic impact reinforced for us all what a worthy effort this was. We’re now actively looking for more ways to bring joint CU efforts to more of our communities and beginning to plan our third year.”

Mazuma CU Partners with YMCA of Greater KC for 7th Annual Give Back Day

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Mazuma Credit Union held its 7th annual Give Back Day, a day of service to the Kansas City community, on Oct. 14. This year, Mazuma partnered with YMCA of Greater Kansas City in support of their efforts to improve the lives of Kansas Citians through healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility.

Nearly 150 Mazuma team members shared their time and effort at nine YMCA branches across the city. Tasks at each location prioritized the specific needs of that branch and the community it serves, ranging from cleaning and painting to gardening and packaging hygiene supplies for distribution through the local nonprofit Giving Hope & Help.

Mazuma’s purpose is “Making Kansas City a Better Place to Live, Work, and Bank,” and Give Back Day is one of many opportunities for team members to put this ethos into practice by volunteering with local organizations in support of their positive impact. Give Back Day is one facet of the credit union’s 40 Hours for Good program, which provides team members with 40 hours of paid volunteer time each year to encourage community engagement. 

“The YMCA’s partnership with Mazuma Credit Union for their annual Day of Service had a measurable impact on the nine area centers that took part,” said Tami Carolan, executive director of the Cleaver Family YMCA. “This collaboration tackled much needed projects at each YMCA, and we are grateful for the giving spirit, energy, and enthusiasm that Mazuma team members brought to their time with us. I could really feel a strong sense of pride and thankfulness that Mazuma encourages volunteerism in the community. Thank you for giving back and lending a hand.”

The team members appreciate the chance to spend time volunteering, learning new skills, and connecting with each other and local organizations.

“I enjoyed working at the community gardens in Parkville,” said Christina Randle, branch leader at Mazuma’s Midtown Branch. “The YMCA was very welcoming and informative, and it was interesting to learn more about how their community gardens work. Our Mazuma team appreciated the opportunity to support the important impact the Y is making in Kansas City.” 

Tarrant County's CU Celebrates ICU Day with Vehicle Donation and Financial Education Initiative

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In celebration of International Credit Union Day on Oct. 17, Tarrant County's Credit Union demonstrated its commitment to community service by donating a surplus van to Saintsville Cathedral and Academy of Fort Worth, enhancing transportation accessibility for local families and students.

The donation addresses critical transportation needs in one of Fort Worth's underserved communities, providing reliable transportation for children attending the academy. During the event, TCCU staff members also engaged with students through interactive financial education activities, including piggy bank painting and lessons on developing healthy money habits.

"Supporting our community is at the heart of what we do," said Lily Newfarmer, CEO of Tarrant County's Credit Union. "Donating this vehicle to Saintsville is a way for us to help bridge the gap for children in need, ensuring they have reliable transportation to school. It's a privilege to contribute to their success."

The initiative reflects TCCU's ongoing dedication to serving its community and promoting financial wellness, particularly among young people. The credit union's celebration of International Credit Union Day exemplifies the industry's core principles of social responsibility and financial education.

Saintsville Cathedral and Academy, located at 2200 Oak Hill Road in Fort Worth, serves as  an educational institution and community center under the leadership of Pastor Milton Pace. The donated vehicle will help address transportation challenges faced by families in the area.

County CU makes annual $1,000 donation to HEAL: Stop Heroin

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Clayton, Mo.-based County Credit Union donated $1,000 to the Heroin Education and Awareness League, a nonprofit group raising awareness and educating communities about the dangers of opiates and other harmful drugs.

“County Credit Union is proud to contribute to this worthy cause,” says David Bueneman, County Credit Union president/CEO. “We donate annually to HEAL to de-stigmatize substance abuse disorders.”

HEAL is an official prevention coalition through Missouri’s Department of Mental Health. The organization began after founders Ellis Fitzwalter and Patti Fitzwalter lost their son, Michael Fitzwalter, to a heroin overdose.

“We always appreciate County Credit Union’s donation,” says Ellis Fitzwalter, HEAL co-founder. “They have always supported our vision to end the opioid epidemic.”