North Dakota - 2014 marked First Community Credit Unions (FCCU) 75th year in business. The credit union was founded as a part of Farmers Union in 1939 with just 45 members. Today the financial cooperative has 32,000 members in 12 communities, making First Community the largest credit union in North Dakota.
In commemoration of their 75
th Anniversary, the organization is giving back to the communities that they have served over the years. Employees and board members plan to do 75 random acts of kindness, one for each year theyve been in business.
"At First Community, we take pride in serving others both within our credit union and within our community, " said Steve Schmitz, President and CEO. "Its been wonderful to see what the groups have come up with and rewarding to see the impact. Weve seen recipients pay it forward and encourage others to do the same."
The 75 acts were broken down by branch or department; then the more than 150 employees and board members decided what they wanted to do in their own community. Just a few examples include: donating blood, playing bingo with residents at a senior living center, volunteering at the humane society, and delivering donuts to local elementary school teachers.
The operations department of ten people in Jamestown contacted social services to see if they had any needs. In the end, they will donate nearly 100 items to three local families, one in particular that had been displaced from their home with little possessions. The donated items ranged from clothes to toiletries and toys to food items.
"Although we werent able to meet with the family directly, the social worker was moved by the donations, knowing the difference it would make," said Kayla Curtis, Member Relations Manager. "It was amazing to see how our department was able to pull together to help others in need. And we dont want it to end there; we plan to continue to help this family after the holidays by furnishing a few items once they find a home."
During its 75 year history, First Community Credit Union has grown to be North Dakotas largest Credit Union with $500 million in assets, employing 145 people in 12 different communities. As a credit union, FCCU is owned by its members, as opposed to banks, which are owned by a select group of stockholders. The Credit Union's profits are returned to the members in the form of better services, accounts, and favorable rates on savings and loans.
