North Star Community Credit Union"s Seeds-2-$ave project has been launched under the direction of Nanci Wilson, Member Service Manager at the Credit Union"s Grafton, ND branch.� Wilson had conceived the "Seeds-2-$ave" project when she was completing her CUDE (Credit Union Development Education) training last year.� With the tagline, "Teaching our youth to nurture their funds to a bountiful growth," the project that helps children learn entrepreneurship by planting, growing, picking and selling their very own vegetables has not only grown roots, but was recently featured in an article in the
Grand Forks Herald.
And the story doesn"t end there.� North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp saw the article in the Herald, and it impressed her enough to send a staffer to the credit union to learn more.� Last week, Cathy Peterson from Heitkamp"s office stopped by to meet Wilson.� Wilson prepared for the meeting by making a binder for the Senator, outlining her project with the plans, photos, news articles and progress to date.� The binder, which Peterson will carry to the Senator, also included information about the CUDE program, how the project was conceived, and how volunteers were enlisted.
Peterson, who was impressed with Wilson"s "People Helping People" philosophy in action, asked what other projects they had done at the credit union branch.� Wilson told her about another great project the credit union has implemented,
the backpack exchange.
"I am absolutely thrilled and honored to have been able to meet with Heidi Heitkamp's representative, says Wilson.� "It truly felt surreal to sit with her and speak about this project knowing that it would go back to the senator!"
