Thanksgiving is around the corner, and what better way to showcase the credit union difference than by shining a light on how the industry helps out local families and charities.

thanksgiving day Fort Knox Federal Credit Union staffers and members will be watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in New York City to see Kentucky's North Hardin High School Band makes its debut. The credit union was among the first to support NHHS band's fundraising efforts with a contribution of $10,000 to defray the band's travel expenses to New York.

“It's one of the great honors for a high school band to be selected to march in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and we're on our way!” said Brian Froedge, North Hardin High School band director. In a show of thanks the band performed a special concert at the high school for its hometown fans and supporters.

“When we first heard that North Hardin High's band had been invited to march in the Macy's Parade, we immediately wanted to help these deserving students realize their once in a lifetime opportunity. Along with being the keystone corporate contributor, we have worked alongside school officials and band boosters to raise the money for this trip,” Ray Springsteen, president/CEO of Fort Knox FCU said.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has been the most popular holiday parade in America since its founding in 1924. Annually attracting more than 3.5 million people along its parade route through the streets of New York City and more than 50 million television viewers nationwide, the Macy's Parade has become as synonymous with the Thanksgiving holiday tradition as the family turkey dinner.

The Macy's Day Parade is a huge collection of performers, floats, and of course, the famous big balloons that are the signature of this event. Each year ten of America's best bands from all across the country are selected to bring their own unique styles and brand of music to share with spectators along the parade route.

The NCUA annual Feds Feed Families food drive resulted in more than 128,00 meals for families in need.

Agency employees donated 153,752 pounds of food during the 2015 drive, a 65% increase from the previous year. A major contributor to the success of this year's food drive was a gleaning operation led by Terri Finley-Harrigan of the Office of Public and Congressional Affairs and Angela Sanders, of the board chairman's office, that yielded 103,300 pounds of food. Finley-Harrigan and Sanders collected food from warehouses and directly from farms.

“These tremendous results happen because of the dedication, teamwork, creativity and enthusiasm of (the) NCUA staff.” NCUA Board Chairman Debbie Matz said. “It's wonderful that (the) NCUA's contribution grew so strongly, but the important point is that thousands of people will have meals they might well have missed. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes life a little easier for people in need.”

Donations from the agency's Central Office employees went to the Capital Area Food Bank. Through direct delivery and partnership with nearly 470 community organizations, the food bank serves more than 540,000 people annually. Donations included fresh food, whole-grain foods, canned fruits and vegetables, soups and stews, baking goods and baby food. Food banks around the country benefited from contributions by the agency's regional offices.

thanks giving day This holiday season, Service Credit Union, based in Portsmouth, N.H., recently gave military families assistance.

The credit union donated Visa gift cards to Chaplain Steven Veinotte of the Chaplain Emergency Relief Fund.

The Chaplain Emergency Relief Fund provides timely and temporary financial assistance to military families in their time of need. The fund was established in 1990 and since that time, the fund has helped families in New Hampshire cover rent, mortgages, and medical and utilities expenses. Any person who is serving in a military unit stationed in New Hampshire or with anyone with a home of record in New Hampshire is eligible for the fund.

“We are proud to be able to help our military and their families who give selflessly to help make our nation great,” Gordon Simmons, president/CEO of Service CU, said. “It seems especially fitting to support CERF since they strive to assist military members in times of great need.”

thanksgiving day Robins Federal Credit Union recently made a deposit to the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank.

The credit union matched its $1,000 food donation with a $1,000 monetary donation.

Robins Federal delivered 50 hams to the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank. The Middle Georgia Community Food Bank estimates that for every $1 donated, it can provide eight meals. With this estimate, Robins Federal's donation will provide 17,000 meals to people in the 24 counties that The Middle Georgia Community Food Bank serves.

“We are proud to support an organization like The Middle Georgia Community Food Bank. We understand that these are difficult times for some and we are happy to be able to give back for those in need in our community,” Dee Dee Côté, senior vice president of administration said.

thanksgiving day For the third year in a row, Connex Credit Union pitched in for the iHeartMedia 25th annual Stuff-A-Bus Thanksgiving campaign with a contribution of 12 whole turkeys.

Disc jockeys from area radio stations helped collect food and money for the Connecticut Food Bank and less fortunate families during the holiday season.

“It brings us great joy knowing that our donation will help feed numerous families this Thanksgiving,” Louise Nestor, director of marketing for Connex CU, said. “I am proud to work for a credit union that is committed to bringing joy to others, and is an embodiment of the true spirit of the holiday season.”

The Stuff-A-Bus donation is just one of many community initiatives served as part of its ConnexCares philanthropic program.

Plans are underway to collect food at its North Haven Branch for the North Haven food pantry, as well as collecting common household items that can be used in assisting those looking to transition from shelter living at the Columbus House and into a home of their own.

thanksgiving day For the past 12 years Security Service Federal Credit Union has been the lead sponsor for the annual Food4SA Food Drive benefitting the San Antonio Food Bank.

Thanks to thousands of generous families across San Antonio, a total of 1,604,448 pounds of food was collected, enough to make nearly one million meals.

“It was a record year for the food drive thanks to our members and the San Antonio area community,” said Brandy Ralston-Lint, vice president of public relations for Security Service. “Their generosity is so much more than just a donation of food – it's a message of caring and hope for those in need.”

Food4SA is sponsored by Security Service, H-E-B, Magic 105.3, News 4 San Antonio and the San Antonio Express-News.

Security Service also participated in the Food Bank's annual turkey roundup, collecting 203 frozen turkeys to give to families for Thanksgiving.

thanksgiving day NuVision Federal Credit Union has donated Thanksgiving dinners to needy families across Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

For each family, NuVision donated a tote bag filled with groceries and a $75 Ralphs Gift Card.

The credit union worked with over 20 local schools throughout Southern California to identify families in need, and made the special Thanksgiving deliveries at each of the schools this week in the cities of Carson, Huntington Beach, Inglewood, Lakewood, Long Beach, Monterey Park, Rosemead and Westminster.

“NuVision was already working with these local schools as part of our school branch program designed to help educate young people about banking and the importance of saving,” Attila Morgan, manager of community involvement/business development at NuVision. “It just made sense to extend our holiday giving to these families right here in our own community.”

thanksgiving day Kellogg Community Federal Credit Union staffers donated over 1,000 pounds of food to help provide a Thanksgiving meal to those in need.

The food will be distributed throughout the counties that KCFCU serves.

During its annual Team Enrichment Day employees were asked to bring in food donations for Thanksgiving meals. The food collected was divided into 11 Thanksgiving baskets. KCFCU partnered with the following organizations: Santa's Helpers of Battle Creek; the Department of Human Services in both Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties; and the Marshall Area Community Services, to determine which families would receive the baskets.

“Our all-staff Team Enrichment Day has been dedicated as a food collection day for ten years now,” Tracy Miller, CEO, KCFCU said. “This is the second year we decided to create Thanksgiving baskets with the food that was collected. We feel strongly about helping the members of our communities in need, and this is one way we can help them enjoy their Thanksgiving holiday.”

thanksgiving day Advia Credit Union has kicked off the season of giving by treating some 75 patrons of Water Street Coffee Joint to a free cup of coffee and a breakfast pastry.

Advia staffers spread some local holiday cheer by picking up the tab.

Committed to reinvesting in the communities it serves, the Season of Giving includes partnering with the Savation Army to provide Angel Trees at all 24 of it brach locations in Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. The Angel tree will be decorated with numbered paper angle tags with the first name, age and gender of a child in need of presents. Once the gifts are collected staffers will deliver the unwrapped gifts to the Salvation Army. Staffers will also volunteer some 300 hours at the Salvation Army Toy Towns sorting toys and helping parents with gift selection for their children in December.

“For area families who have fallen on hard times and are struggling to meet the financial demands of day-to-day life, providing gifts for their children on Christmas Day can be beyond their reach,” Ray Black, executive vice president of sales and marketing said. “This is part of our ongoing commitment to support our local communities and give back this holiday season.”

thanksgiving day Belvoir Federal Credit Union employees and members joined forces to help take a bite out of hunger in the Northern Virginia area.

A total of 731.35 pounds was donated to Action In Community Through Service.

ACTS provides relief, fosters hope, and promotes self-sufficiency for the Prince William area neighbors in crisis due to hunger, homelessness, and personal violence.

Instant Insights /

Credit Unions Celebrate Thanksgiving

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