JACKSON, MI Horns were honking, people were cheering and CP Federal Credit Union employees were giving away $4,000 of free gas to smiling community members.
A line of vehicles on N. Wisner Street going to the P.S. Food Mart stretched to Argyle Street, where it continued down for several blocks. Helping direct the flow of traffic were Jackson Police Department officers. The first vehicle waiting for the event arrived about 7:30 a.m., an hour and a half before it started.
"There are a lot of happy customers," P.S. Food Mart Vice President Jim Linton said. "We have seen a lot of smiling faces, and it has been a steady flow (since 9 a.m.)."
The nationwide effort called Take Back Your Banking involved about 40 participating community banks and credit unions. The event is to show community members the benefits of banking locally and to give back, CP Federal Credit Union Vice President Sarah Ermatinger said.
"We are trying to spread the word around the community about banking locally," Ermatinger said. "High bank fees and gas prices are at the top of peoples minds & and we are giving them relief at the gas pumps and how they can get a break on the (bank) fees as well."
During the two-hour event, credit union employees pumped $20 worth of gas to the first 200 motorists who came in.
"It is really awesome," Jonesville resident Eden Longoria said. "Its really nice of them. Free is always good."
The line for the event moved fairly quickly, Ermatinger said, with drivers waiting about 15 minutes to get to the pumps.
"Its really amazing," Jenalee Travis of Jackson said
She added she learned of the event from her sister, and she didnt know how she was going to get through the rest of the week paying for gas.
"I am (customer) 155 of the 200. I was pretty lucky," she said. "I am so happy I was able to get in. I cant thank them enough."
One lucky customer was running on fumes, and actually ran out of gas while waiting in the line, Ermatinger said. He pushed his car about a block and received help from the employees and police officers to get his free $20 in gas.
"This is really nice," said Shameka Oliver of Jackson, who was not the driver who ran out of gas. "It is helping a lot of people out."
JACKSON, MI Horns were honking, people were cheering and CP Federal Credit Union employees were giving away $4,000 of free gas to smiling community members.
A line of vehicles on N. Wisner Street going to the P.S. Food Mart stretched to Argyle Street, where it continued down for several blocks. Helping direct the flow of traffic were Jackson Police Department officers. The first vehicle waiting for the event arrived about 7:30 a.m., an hour and a half before it started.
"There are a lot of happy customers," P.S. Food Mart Vice President Jim Linton said. "We have seen a lot of smiling faces, and it has been a steady flow (since 9 a.m.)."
The nationwide effort called Take Back Your Banking involved about 40 participating community banks and credit unions. The event is to show community members the benefits of banking locally and to give back, CP Federal Credit Union Vice President Sarah Ermatinger said.
"We are trying to spread the word around the community about banking locally," Ermatinger said. "High bank fees and gas prices are at the top of peoples minds & and we are giving them relief at the gas pumps and how they can get a break on the (bank) fees as well."
During the two-hour event, credit union employees pumped $20 worth of gas to the first 200 motorists who came in.
"It is really awesome," Jonesville resident Eden Longoria said. "Its really nice of them. Free is always good."
The line for the event moved fairly quickly, Ermatinger said, with drivers waiting about 15 minutes to get to the pumps.
"Its really amazing," Jenalee Travis of Jackson said
She added she learned of the event from her sister, and she didnt know how she was going to get through the rest of the week paying for gas.
"I am (customer) 155 of the 200. I was pretty lucky," she said. "I am so happy I was able to get in. I cant thank them enough."
One lucky customer was running on fumes, and actually ran out of gas while waiting in the line, Ermatinger said. He pushed his car about a block and received help from the employees and police officers to get his free $20 in gas.
"This is really nice," said Shameka Oliver of Jackson, who was not the driver who ran out of gas. "It is helping a lot of people out."