Whether promoting community service, financial literacy orspecial loan rates, some credit unions really know how to talkturkey.

Annual holiday traditions such as food drives with localcharities, sharing shopping tips, and offering holiday ratespecials are becoming increasingly popular at financial co-ops aseffective ways to serve the community and members.

To promote holiday-related events, products and services, agrowing number of credit unions are rolling out televisioncommercials, social media campaigns and YouTube videos.

Video messages have also become a popular way for executives andother staff members to express their gratitude to members duringthe Thanksgiving season.

The power of video speaks volumes and many credit unions havediscovered that delivering a message on film is an effective way toengage members, especially younger members.

Take a moment before you enjoy these Thanksgiving videos andimagine what Pilgrims would have thought about YouTube. Perhaps,like many consumers, they would have flocked to it.

Here are some video goodies to gobble up:

Next Page: Bethpage Gives Back

Giving Back to Community

In what has become an annual tradition, Bethpage Federal Credit Union is proving its commitment tocommunity service again this year by helping to provideThanksgiving meals and more to hundreds of Long Island families inneed.

Since 2009, the Bethpage Turkey Drive has collected a total ofmore than 20,000 turkeys and 35,000 pounds of other food for localfamilies in need, the credit union said.

“Each year the turkey drive has grown to what is now consideredthe largest on-site food drive on Long Island and so we arethrilled this year to expand even more by partnering with StonyBrook University to offer a drop-off location for Suffolk Countyresidents,” said Linda Armyn, senior vice president of corporatestrategy at the $5.5 billion financial co-op in Bethpage, N.Y.

Credit union staff, along with hundreds of Long Islandresidents, businesses and volunteers, helps collect and distributethe food each year.

Highlights from last year's campaign included a donation of morethan 8,000 pounds of canned goods and shelf-stable products fromBethpage-based Goya Foods, the credit union said.

Next Page: Connecting with Connex

Don't Go in the Red on Black Friday

As part of its ongoing campaign to promote financial literacyand to connect with Gen Y members, Connex Credit Union sharedhelpful shopping tips with members last holiday season.

The video was created by Lauren Dufour, a Quinnipiac Universitypublic relations major who served a one-year internship withConnex. As vice president of unbanking, a title created four years agowhen the internship program was launched, Dufour worked within thecredit union's corporate marketing department to help spread theword about Connex CU and its “unbank” message.

“The holidays are a good time of year to remind people how theycan better manage their personal finances,” said Carl Casper, vicepresident of customer advocacy with the $377 million institution inNorth Haven, Conn.

“However, we look at providing our members and the communitieswe serve with a series of financial literacy programs year-round,”Casper said. “For example, we recently participated in a financialreality fair to teach high school students the fundamentals offinancial responsibilities, and we regularly host seminars at ourbranches on a variety of financial topics as part of our memberadvocacy promise.”

Connex CU is also utilizing technology, such as a new mobileapplications and personal teller machines in branches, to provideeven more financial tips to serve members, Casper said.

Next Page: MACU Pays It Forward

Paying It Forward

In a continuing commitment to support the community, MountainAmerica Credit Union helped hundreds of needy Utah families haveThanksgiving meals last year.

As part of its “Pay it Forward” program, Mountain Americadonated $500 to Tiana Smart, a Salt Lake City student and founderof Teens for Turkeys, a non-profit organization that has raisedenough money to buy more than 34,000 pounds of turkey for the UtahFood Bank during the past few years.

Mountain America launched the Pay It Forward program in 2011 bypartnering with local television station KUTV.

“In our 'Pay It Forward' program, we find people that are doinggreat things in the community and we help them fund the good work.We saw there was a great need to help those who were contributingso much of their time and personal resources,” says SterlingNielsen, president/CEO of the $3.6 billion financial cooperative inWest Jordan, Utah. “It's been overwhelming to witness the goodnessof people as they give of themselves to help others.”

Through the program, Mountain America has given more than $45,000 to support causessuch as enhancing cancer awareness, mentoring refugees adjusting tolife in America, creating instructional videos for amputees andteaching the importance of seat belts, the credit union said.

The Pay It Forward segments air during the Wednesday KUTVnewscast, the credit union said, and all segments can be viewed onMountain America's YouTube Channel.

Next Page: Commonwealth Comes Through

Paying for the Turkey

Commonwealth Credit Union recently unveiled a new animatedcommercial that allows viewers to quickly see how handy a MY Cardcould be during the holiday season.

A similar animated video with a Halloween theme aired last monthand another holiday-themed commercial is on the way inDecember.

“A larger number of MY Cards were opened for October, whichcontributed to several special opportunities focusing entirely onMY Card, including giving cardholders 0% on purchases andadditional bonus points with the purchase of electronic items,”said Alan Davis vice president of lending for the $950 millioninstitution in Frankfort, Ky.

Oculus Studios in Lexington, Ky., created about a dozencommercials, animations and general marketing videos for Commonwealth CU.

As a result, the credit union said, it now has powerful tools tohelp keep members informed, and to promote products andservices.

The entertaining, catchy TV spots centered around the Halloweenand Thanksgiving holidays, in addition to a fun, animated videoeducating people on MY Card were definitely an enhancement to theprogram,” Davis added.

Next Page: Turkey Trot With Bellco

Turkey Trotting for the Cause

More than 10,000 people are expected to converge in Denver'sWashington

Park on Nov. 28 for the 40th annual Mile High United WayThanksgiving Day Turkey Trot, sponsored by BellcoCredit Union.

“Bellco is excited to once again serve as the presenting sponsorfor this 40th annual event, which brings together families andfriends to take part in a Denver Thanksgiving tradition,” saidSandra Sagehorn-Elliott, senior vice president and COO of the $2.5billion financial co-op in Greenwood Village, Colo.

“We're committed to giving back to the community, and UnitedWay's focus on adult self-sufficiency aligns perfectly withBellco's support of financial education for our members and thecommunities we serve,” she added.

The credit union's support enables the Mile High United Way tocontinue its mission, which focuses on school readiness, youthsuccess and adult self-sufficiency, the organization said.

“We're honored that Bellco is supporting our efforts to improvethe lives of people in the Denver metro area,” said ChristineBenero, president and CEO of Mile High United Way. “According tothe Forbes Travel Blog, the Mile High United Way Turkey Trot isamong the top 10 best Thanksgiving events around the country.