Credit unions in Michigan and Missouri ground up a more than three tons of personal documents for members and others last week during their respective Community Shred Days.
The $192 million, 42,000-member American 1 CU of Jackson, Mich., said more than 3,600 pounds of personal documents were shredded on Oct. 18 at its Garfield Branch in Clinton Township with the help of Shred-it, a Securit Company, and said 35 to 40 trees would be spared as a result.
“This is the first of many anticipated events in our efforts to give back to the communities we are serving in the Macomb County area,” said Liz Niles, community relations manager for American 1. “Since the merger with Premier Financial Credit Union in August, we’ve been excited to become an integral part of the neighborhood and giving back to the community we serve is important to us.”
The Chippewa Valley High School wrestling team and the Ray Township Community 4H lent a helping hand by transporting boxes for the credit union prior to the shred day and for members at the event, and each group received donations totaling approximately $800 for their effort.
Meanwhile, more than 3,700 pounds of unwanted confidential documents were done in at “Secure Your Identity Day” on Saturday at the $167 million, 22,000-member Arsenal Credit Union’s Mid St. Louis County branch in Webster Groves, Mo.
That event was held in recognition of the annual “Protect Your Identity Week” sponsored by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
Almost 4,000 pounds of computer equipment, televisions and other electronics also were recycled, along with 18 cellphones that will be processed for distribution to an agency that provides them as emergency communication to people in need.
The Arsenal CU event was one of several sponsored by ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions at credit unions in Missouri, California, Oregon, Virginia and New York, the company said.
“We were excited to partner with ClearPoint and participate in this nationwide event because it’s what we’re all about – helping people in the community any way we can,” said Ken Moser, vice president of marketing at Arsenal.
