Keeping the Kindness Going
We've had such a beautiful fall here in Michigan, and I've been trying to soak it all in while I can. Before we know it, the busy end-of-year rush will be in full swing! But no matter what the weather brings or how hectic things get, one thing I always appreciate about this time of year is that it's also the season of giving. It's a good reminder to slow down a little, look beyond our day-to-day work and appreciate the difference we can make in our families and our communities.
At MCUL and Navari, we kicked off the season of giving earlier this month with our annual CU Kind Day. It's always fun to see the different ways credit unions across Michigan set aside the day to get involved, whether it's volunteering at a local nonprofit, collecting donations for those in need or finding creative ways to spread a little kindness to those around them.
This year, 71 credit unions joined MCUL and Navari in making a difference, with 5,436 volunteers supporting 617 different organizations. In total, we contributed more than $408,035 in goods and donations to communities across the state. That's a lot of kindness packed into one day!
Some of you spent the day packing food and care packages for families in need, others planted trees, volunteered at animal shelters or helped support local schools, and some surprised neighbors with free groceries, pumpkins and other goodies.
Our MCUL and Navari teams volunteered once again with The Rainbow Connection in Rochester and the Greater Lansing Food Bank. Beyond the opportunity to give back, it's always nice to get our teams out of the office, working together in a different setting and spending time with colleagues we might not see as often during a typical workday.
MCUL and Navari at Greater Lansing Food Bank
MCUL and Navari at The Rainbow Connection
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make CU Kind Day another success and a wonderful tradition! If you'd like to see more of how Michigan credit unions celebrated CU Kind Day, we've put together a recap highlighting the many ways you gave back.
Speaking of traditions, there's another special milestone worth celebrating this year: Credit Unions for Kids is marking 40 years of supporting Children's Miracle Network. That's four decades of credit unions dedicating their energy and resources to helping children's hospitals provide the care and support that kids and their families deserve.
For 40 years, credit unions across the country have come together to support Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. In fact, our industry is the organization's third-largest donor, behind only Costco and Walmart! That's something to be proud of, especially when you think about the difference that support has made for kids and families who rely on these hospitals.
Here in Michigan, our partnership with Children's Miracle Network dates back to 1997, and the impact has been pretty remarkable. Since then, Michigan credit unions and their partners have raised approximately $5.85 million to help support children's hospitals and the families they serve.
To celebrate this anniversary, Credit Unions for Kids is holding a special 40-day fundraising campaign from November 2 through December 11, with opportunities for credit unions and their members to take part.
Thanks to TruStage, the first 1,000 eligible $40 donations will be matched, so those early gifts can make twice the impact. There are also plenty of fun incentives at different giving levels, along with resources to help credit unions get their teams and members involved.
I hope you'll consider taking part, whether that's making a personal donation, getting your team involved or sharing the opportunity with your members. Credit Unions for Kids has put together some fundraising resources to help get you started.
Support the Credit Unions for Kids 40th Anniversary Campaign
As we head into November, with the midterm elections and the busy final stretch of the year just around the corner, I hope we can all take a moment to appreciate the good work happening all around us. In the meantime, here's hoping we get a few more weeks of this beautiful fall weather before the snow starts!
Thanks for reading.
« Return to "Patty's Desk"
