Credit Union donates $5,000 to support MS Walks

Scott Credit Union of Collinsville, IL recently presented a check for $5,000 to representatives from the local MS Society to sponsor fund-raising walks this spring in Millstadt, Edwardsville and OFallon.

Scott Credit Union Community Relations Representative Lauren Hoefert presented the $5,000 check to Amy Klueter-Thomas, the Gateway MS Society Senior Community Development Manager.

The local MS walks will be held in Edwardsville on April 14, in Millstadt on April 20 and in OFallon on Aug. 17. The Gateway Area Chapter of the National MS Society is a community of individuals who are committed to achieving a world free of MS. The Chapter helps over 6,600 individuals throughout 90 counties in Missouri and Illinois impacted by MS to move their lives forward. "This is another opportunity for us to support our community and the people who live here," Hoefert said. "It is our way of showing our support in the effort to eliminate MS." The National MS Society Gateway Area Chapter exists to help address the challenges of each person whose life is affected by MS. The organization offers a variety of assistance to area individuals. "Credit unions are committed to helping people and supporting the Gateway MS Chapter allows us to do that," Hoefert added. "It is a good feeling to support the programs that are provided. We are proud to play a small role in the effort." Scott Credit Union has made giving back to its communities a major priority. The local credit union contributed about $275,000 and its employees volunteered over 2,300 hours to a variety of local civic efforts throughout the region in 2012. "We realize that without our members and the communities in which we serve, we would not exist as a financial alternative," Hoefert noted. "Supporting our communities is very important to us." The credit union has increased its community involvement in the past few years while also increasing its efforts to educate consumers of the value of doing their financial business with a not-for-profit credit union. "We want people in the area to know more about the value of doing business with a credit union," she added. "That is why we have focused our time on educating area residents about Scott Credit Union. One of the big ways weve done that is through our community involvement." PHOTO:� Gateway MS Society Senior Community Development Manager Amy Klueter-Thomas, left, and Scott Credit Union Community Relations Representative Lauren Hoefert.