While charitable giving takes place 24/7 within the credit union movement, the end-of-year holidays bring an opportunity for cooperatives to make an extra-special effort to spread joy in their communities. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be highlighting some of the ways credit unions are celebrating the season – here are a few holiday donations, products and events that were recently shared with CU Times.
1. AmeriCU’s Special Holiday Loan for Military Families
The $2.8 billion AmeriCU Credit Union is offering an unsecured, personal Holiday Loan for service members this season at rates as low as 5.75% APR. The Rome, N.Y.-based credit union described the loan as an affordable solution for service members who are struggling to afford to travel home and purchase gifts for their families, and an alternative to higher-rate credit and store cards.
Members can apply for the loan, offered at a 12-month term and amounts up to $5,000, at any AmeriCU Financial Center or online.
“As the holiday season approaches, we understand that military families face unique challenges. Balancing the demands of service, deployments and the cost of celebrating the season with loved ones can be a financial strain,” AmeriCU Assistant Vice President of Financial Center Services Tina Thornton said. “In recognition of their dedication and sacrifice, AmeriCU’s Holiday Loan helps to meet the needs of our military members.”
2. American Heritage CU’s Grand Illumination
The $5.1 billion, Philadelphia-based American Heritage Credit Union held its 18th Annual Grand Illumination Kick-Off event on Nov. 29, drawing a crowd of more than 20,000 community members who enjoyed holiday lights and displays, festive performances and a fireworks show.
The evening also included the presentation of a $600,000 check to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia on behalf of the credit union’s Kids-N-Hope Foundation, which will support the hospital’s music therapy program. What’s more, many event attendees brought a canned good to donate as part of American Heritage’s 12th annual Spirit of Giving Food Drive.
For those who missed the Kick-Off event, all community members are invited to visit the American Heritage Red Lion Road campus in Philadelphia through New Year’s Day in the evening to check out and take family photos with the decorations, which include more than 400,000 lights and two 40-foot illuminated trees.
3. Holiday Photos With Santa at Greylock FCU
In Pittsfield, Mass., Greylock Federal Credit Union will welcome Santa along with local children and their families at its Kellogg Street Branch on Dec. 13. The $1.6 billion credit union is inviting families to pop into the branch’s Community Empowerment Center for free photos with the Christmas icon from 10 a.m. to noon.
“We are so excited that Santa made time in his busy schedule to stop by Greylock again this year,” Greylock Vice President, Director of Community Development Cindy Shogry-Raimer said. “As part of our commitment to spreading cheer and good will in our community, we’re inviting everyone to visit Santa. We’ll have a photo booth, and you can enjoy his favorite snack to celebrate his visit to Pittsfield.”
4. Tower FCU’s $40,000 Holiday Donation to Four Charities
The TowerCares Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the $4.7 billion, Laurel, Md.-based Tower Federal Credit Union, brightened the holiday season for Neighbor Ride, a charity based in Maryland’s Howard County that provides rides for elderly veterans in need through a network of volunteers, with a $10,000 donation.
The gift was part of a $40,000 contribution to four local charities, which marked a significant milestone for TowerCares – it reached a total distribution of over $4 million in grants, donations and scholarships supporting military heroes, veterans and children in need across the Baltimore/Washington community.
TowerCares employees had the opportunity to vote for which charities would be included in the $40,000 donation. Aside from Neighbor Ride, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, the Fort Meade Alliance Foundation and Horizon Day Camp each received $10,000.
5. Toy Drives at SECU, Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union & Chartway
It’s that time of year again when credit unions start collecting toys for children in their local communities who may not otherwise receive a gift this holiday season.
Credit unions that recently announced their 2025 toy drive plans include SECU ($56.7 billion, Raleigh, N.C.) and Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union ($439 million, Germantown, Md.).
SECU held its fourth annual statewide Toy Drive through Dec. 5, with all 275 SECU branches serving as drop-off sites. Donations collected at each location are being delivered to children in the area through collaborations with local charities and organizations.
Mid-Atlantic teamed up with Holy Cross Health, a member of the national health care network Trinity Health with locations in Maryland and Florida, to spread joy to pediatric patients through its 2025 Holiday Toy Drive. All are invited to drop off a new unwrapped toy at any Mid-Atlantic branch in Germantown, Gaithersburg or Silver Spring, Md., by Dec. 12. Donations collected through the drive will be distributed to pediatric patients served by Holy Cross Health Centers.
And, the Chartway Promise Foundation, the charitable arm of the $3.2 billion, Virginia Beach, Va.-based Chartway Credit Union, donated $2,000 worth of toys to its charity partner Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters (CHKD). The toys were collected during a “stuff the truck” toy drive held at the grand re-opening of Chartway’s Raby Road Branch in Norfolk, Va., on Dec. 8. Since the start of its partnership, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.2 million in grants to CHKD.
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