More than 20 credit union professionals from six Kansas creditunions and the Kansas Credit Union Association recently traded their businesssuits for T-shirts and jeans to work on community improvementprojects in Wichita and Topeka.

They participated in the first annual CUnext Day of Servicecoordinated by the CUnext Young Professionals Council, a group ofyoung credit union professionals.

“Our CUnexters wanted to get out and do something in thecommunity that would benefit both the young professional's group,as well as someone in need,” said Travis Colibert, a branch managerfor the $213 million Mid American Credit Union in Wichita and who serves on theCUnext Leadership Committee.

“We wanted to illustrate that the philosophy of 'people helpingpeople' is important to credit unions, and that we live it bothinside and outside the credit union world,” Colibert said.

Employees from Wichita-based credit unions, including the $18.4million Medical Community CU, the $889 million Meritrust CU and MidAmerican CU, painted exterior trim and doors, hung windows andinstalled a roof on a Habitat for Humanity house.

In Topeka, the group packed 453 boxes of food for seniors innortheast Kansas through Harvesters Community Food Network.Participating credit unions included the $186 million EducationalCredit Union and the $273 million Quest Credit Union, both ofTopeka, as well as the $63 million Kansas State University FederalCredit Union in Manhattan.

Colibert said he was pleased with the turnout and is hoping toplan future events.

In addition to organizing community service events, the CUnextYoung Professionals Council participates in advocacy training andprovides an opportunity for young professionals with networking andeducational opportunities.

The Topeka group boxed hundreds of boxes of food forseniors at Harvesters Community Food Network.