Orange County's CU Launches Sand Dollar Savings Club

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. - What better way to celebrate the grand opening of Orange County's Credit Union's branch here than to launch a new youth program. The Sand Dollar Savings Club, designed for children ages 12 and under, features a free savings account, a free Club t-shirt, incentives for making deposits, an optional ATM card, kid-friendly statements, and fun educational games and seminars. To kick-off the Club, the Aquarium of the Pacific provided its "Aquarium on Wheels," a mobile tide pool exhibit, which featured live star fish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, a variety of fish, and baby sharks to create an unforgettable interactive experience for kids. In addition, children played carnival-style games featuring the Club's mascots Pearl the Mermaid and Seacil the Sea Lion including Fishin' with Pearl, Toss Seacil a Ring, and The Bean Bag Zone. The event also included face painting and balloon art. Each child received a Sand Dollar Savings Club sand pail and Frisbee as door prizes and was given a brochure describing the benefits of joining the Club. Some 37 new Sand Dollar accounts were opened during the grand opening events. "We all know that good savings habits start young," said OCCU Mission Viejo Branch Manager Andy Caywood. "We designed the Club to help instill the basics of good money management in children to they can grow and succeed as responsible savers. It's a convenient and affordable learning opportunity for families."