Holiday Donations & Events

Genisys Credit Union, Auburn Hills, Mich., was a presenting sponsor for the 2008 Holiday Extravaganza held by the Auburn Hills, Pontiac, Waterford and White Lake communities. The event started with a tree lighting ceremony that was followed by caroling. Over 1,000 people attended to listen to the seven youth choirs perform, which was the largest attendance ever. A community breakfast and children’s winter art center was held as well. The holiday parade concluded the festivities. Close to 100 parade units participated. Point Loma Credit Union, Oceanside, Calif., celebrated its five-year anniversary with Santa Claus, children’s book readings and collecting new, unwrapped toys for the children of deployed military personnel. The toys were distributed by the Oceanside Rewards the Working Service Forces, a nonprofit service organization. Santa Claus made an appearance at the credit union to pass out gifts and pose for pictures. Chuck E. Cheese also made an appearance. Local children’s author Geraldine Lewis read from her latest book, Popsi, the Daughter of Mother Nature. Children also decorated cookies, created holiday crafts and entered a coloring contest. Northeast Credit Union, Portsmouth, N.H., made a $4,550 donation to the New Hampshire Food Bank. The total donation was based on $25 for every Northeast employee, volunteer and board member.

Altura Credit Union, Riverside, Calif., launched a food drive to help supplement the greater needs of families this holiday season. Canned food and other nonperishable food donations were accepted at all 16 Altura branches. The credit union had heard reports that requests at food banks around the country are up 30% to 40% due to the economy. Community Trust Credit Union, Gurnee, Ill., donated $1,000 to the Fox Lake/Round Lake Rotary toy drive. For 35 years the rotary has supplied needy children with a holiday toy and a hot meal at the George Watson Memorial Rotary children’s Christmas party. This year, organizers learned that Toys For Tots changed its policy for distributing toys and would not provide toys for the party. The rotary solicited local businesses for donations of toys and money to help fill the need, as a result they were able to provide gifts for 500 underprivileged children. The Golden 1 Community Credit Union, Sacramento, Calif., contributed food donations and a $5,000 check to the Sacramento Food Bank CEO Blake Young. The Golden 1 placed collection bins in each of its 77 branches and in its Sacramento-based operations center. The credit union ran the food bank to assist food banks throughout the state that are in need of donations for the holiday season.