Credit Union Supports Employee Volunteer Time
July 18, 2014
St. Louis, MO�� 1st Financial Federal Credit Union was built upon a philosophical foundation of "people helping people".� Throughout the years, credit union leaders have encouraged 1st Financial employees to help people in their community by offering opportunities for donating goods, providing financial literacy education and participating in fundraising efforts.��
In late 2013, during a planning session dedicated to community development, it was decided to introduce a volunteer program for the employees of 1st Financial Federal Credit Union that would offer paid wages for volunteering time with designated nonprofit 501c(3) organizations in their communities.� It is believed by the senior leadership team of 1st Financial that in order to bring about true life changing transformation in the community, it takes hard work, effort and people using their talents and skills for good.
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"Paid volunteerism is such a great opportunity to allow our employees the chance to actively contribute to the communities we serve," said Robyn Whalen, Vice President of Human Resources and Administration at 1st Financial Federal Credit Union.� "We dont just donate money or raise funds for our local charities.� We physically help those organizations whether its stocking shelves at a food pantry, playing with children in a shelter, or building a house!"
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One of the biggest vehicles for employee volunteering has been the�Helping People 1st�grant program created by 1st Financial Federal Credit Union. This initiative, which highlights community focused charitable organizations, has given 1st Financial employees the ability to actively improve their community.� To date, 1st Financial employees have worked over 165 hours of paid volunteer time serving Gateway 180: Homelessness Reversed, O.A.S.I.S. Food Pantry, PAKT Community Center, and Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County.
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"The act of volunteering is a team-and morale-building event," continued Ms. Whalen.� "The employees create shared memories and work together to help a good cause.� When we hire new employees, they consistently say that the reason they want to work here is because of our strong commitment to help the community.� Volunteering creates a positive atmosphere where we are all supporting our core purpose: helping people achieve their financial dreams."
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1st Financial Federal Credit Union was recently recognized as a Top Workplace in the St. Louis area by the St. Louis Post Dispatch.� Top Workplaces are selected based on the results of employee surveys with the belief that employees buy into the philosophy and work ethic of successful companies.
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About 1st Financial Federal Credit Union
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Like all credit unions, 1st Financial is a member-owned, financial cooperative. 1st Financial Federal Credit Union was chartered on September 3, 1968 as District 837 Credit Union by the International Association of Machinist members employed by McDonnell Douglas. Today, with over 30,000 members and nearly $200 million in assets, 1st Financial is a St. Louis metro area financial institution dedicated to helping members achieve their financial dreams. For over 45 years 1st Financial has provided members with a full line of dependable financial products and services which returns profits to the members in the form of lower rates on loans and higher savings yields. The cooperative nature of credit unions enables 1st Financial to provide products and services at very reasonable rates.
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1st Financial Federal Credit Union serves those who live, work, worship, attend school, or regularly conduct business in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County, Missouri and a wide array of companies throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. 1st Financial is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial organization committed to providing quality services to the membership while demonstrating safe and sound business practices. Deposits are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the U.S. Government.
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