LAFCU's Reading Event Highlights Importance of Being Thankful

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU is sharing the importance of everyday grateful living in its eighth Listen & Learn episode Wednesday, Nov. 17, 7 p.m. It’s free, live and virtual, and it encourages kids up to age 12 to read through fun, interesting and informative ways.

Grand Ledge Area District Library and Greater Lansing Food Bank are joining the Michigan credit union to present LAFCU Listen & Learn Being Thankful.

Featured are a puppet show, a look inside a food bank and why they’re important, and a storytime about how gratitude is a way of life for many Native Americans. The interactive event includes a Q&A session.

There will also be a drawing to give away three $20 eGift cards for a bookstore.

“LAFCU Listen & Learn Being Thankful is an example of how books can open new worlds for the reader,” said Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, LAFCU chief marketing officer and chief diversity officer. “Books can help develop imagination, empathy and critical thinking — all important attributes for our future leaders. Presenting this series is one way LAFCU supports the communities we serve.”

The storytime picture book is “We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga,” written by Cherokee Nation citizen Traci Sorell and illustrated by Frane Lessac. The word otsaliheliga, pronounced oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah, is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude every day and every season.

The award-winning book underscores the importance of traditions and how celebrating gratefulness can be healing. It was selected by and will be read by “Ms. Carol,” Carol Robinson, GLADL youth services librarian.

Details and registration for LAFCU Listen & Learn Being Thankful are at www.LAFCU.com/read. Using a provided web link, registrants participate via a computer, tablet, smartphone or smart TV. No software is required.

Committed to help communities it serves to thrive, LAFCU created the Listen & Learn Program in response to the pandemic to provide a fun, new option for kids to learn, listen, read and interact. In addition to live events, readings of children’s books are available by phone, 517.622.6789, and YouTube, http://bit.ly/LAFCU-L-L. Volunteer readers can register at https://bit.ly/LAFCUVolunteers.

More information about the LAFCU Listen & Learn Program is at www.lafcu.com/read.

About LAFCU

Chartered in 1936, LAFCU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative open for membership to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Michigan and to businesses and other entities located in Michigan. The credit union serves more than 69,000 members and holds nearly $938 million in assets. It was named a Best Credit Union to Work For in 2020. LAFCU offers a comprehensive range of financial products and services as well as an expanding complement of financial technology solutions. Members enjoy benefits such as low fees, low interest rates on loans, high yields on savings, discounts, knowledgeable employees and nationwide access to fee-free ATMs. A recipient of the national Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award for credit unions, LAFCU enriches the communities it serves by supporting many organizations and causes. To learn more about LAFCU, call 800.748.0228 or visit www.lafcu.com.