Given the almost universal popularity of St. Patrick's Day inthe U.S., it's not unexpected that a number of credit unions fromaround the country would take the opportunity to join in thecelebrations.

One of these was the Rockford branch of the $313million First Northern Credit Union inChicago, which invited the Rockford Chamber of Commerce's IGNITEmembers to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on March 15 and offeredcomplimentary appetizers. IGNITE is a local group composed of youngbusiness professions in the Rockford area interested in gettingconnected, educated and involved in the community.

Another was the $492million Diamond Credit Union inPottstown, Penn., which planned a St. Patrick's Day Hot Dog andBake Sale at its Pottstown branch for Thursday, March 17. Allproceeds were donated to the American Cancer Society Relay forLife.

Yet another was the $93million Railway Credit Union of Mandan,N.D.

“We hold a St. Patrick's Day Lunch for our Senior Club groupevery year on St. Patrick's Day,” Katie Miller, spokesperson, said.“We have a nice lunch, entertainment, bingo and door prizes. It isa fun event, where everyone can dress up in green and wear funnecklaces, hats, etc.”

The credit union holds four or five events throughout the yearfor its Senior Club group.

“The St. Patrick's Day lunch is one of the more laid-backevents, where people can relax and enjoy food, company andentertainment,” she said.

In early March, in honor ofSt. Patrick's Day, Prime Partners (those 55 years or older with atleast $1,000 in any deposit account at the credit union) of the$2.1 billion First Community CreditUnion in Chesterfield, Mo., were picked up in amotorcoach bus at two of the credit union's branches, driven by St.Patrick's Church, given a tour of the Shrine of St. Joseph andtreated to lunch at Maggie O'Brien's of corned beef sandwiches,Irish Stew, salad and cookies. Following lunch, participantsvisited St. John the Apostle and Evangelist church, and then KerryCottage, an Irish gift shop. The final stop of the day was PatConley's Pub, which featured Irish dancers.

Other credit unions expandedtheir celebrations into the community as a whole. One of these wasthe $2.4 billion Idaho Central CreditUnion in Chubbuck, Idaho, which sponsored the city'sannual St. Patrick's Day parade on Saturday, March 12.

The $2.2 billion Spokane Teachers' CreditUnion in Liberty Lake, Wash., has a similartradition, feting a local school principal each year in the town'sSt. Patrick's Day parade.

“Celebration, education and people are three of STCU's corevalues,” Kristen Piscopo, community relations officer, said.

STCU hasbeen part of the annual Principals on Parade program since2011.

“The Principal on Parade idea came about as a way to honor andcelebrate local principals by having students nominate in their ownwords how their principal has impacted their lives,” Piscoposaid. ”STCU partners with the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, alocal nonprofit for the annual celebration, for the event.”

The winning principal and nominating student are invited to adignitary lunch hosted by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Then,the principal and nominating student, as well as their familymembers, ride in a horse-drawn carriage in the St. Patrick's DayParade.

“It's a day of celebration and an opportunity to recognize anoutstanding educator,” she said. The partnership with the FriendlySons of St. Patrick, according to Piscopo, is a perfect way tocombine the celebration of St. Patrick's Day with STCU'seducational roots in the community.

“Recognizing the good work of students, teachers, principals andschools is something STCU is committed to year round,” she said.“The opportunity to recognize great work and have them ride in theSTCU Carriage in the parade is an added bonus.”

This year, the winningsubmission came from a fourth grader at Woodridge ElementarySchool, a public elementary school located in north Spokane. STCUand the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick surprised the principal, PaulGannon, in front of an all-school assembly in early March. Thisyear, the parade was held Saturday, March 12.