Livonia, MI (August 23, 2016)
Zeal Credit Union recently completed its eighth annual Backpack Drive, in partnership with Volunteers of America Michigan, to provide donations of new backpacks and school supplies to needy students throughout the state.
"In total, we were able to donate more than 1,300 items including nearly 60 backpacks--thanks to our credit union members and team members," said Tiffany Sweet, youth and community development coordinator for Zeal Credit Union. "We also received a very generous donation of nearly $500 from the Downriver Wanderers Classic Car Club that allowed us to purchase backpacks and supplies to include in that donation."
According to Sweet, everyone got into the spirit, including staff who participated in a "dress down" day by contributing school supplies or donating money. In addition to new backpacks, donated items included notebooks, paper, crayons, pencils, scissors, markers, rulers, protractor/compasses, calculators, highlighters, and a variety of items needed for different grade levels.
"Studies show that children who do not have basic school supplies experience lower test scores, attendance problems and emotional issues at home and at school. Education is key to a child"s future success. It is contributions like these that help," said Stephanie Doud, from the community engagement team at Volunteers of America Michigan, which is responsible for distributing all of the items collected. "We greatly appreciate Zeal"s ongoing commitment and partnership."
"Our work with students doesn"t end with the beginning of school," added Sweet, who oversees Zeal"s student credit union program and youth financial literacy presentations throughout the year.
Zeal Credit Union is a full-service, non-profit financial institution with assets exceeding $513 million and maintains 11 full-service branch offices in metro Detroit. Members also have access to more than 5,000 shared branches and nearly 30,000 ATMs nationwide. Member deposits are insured to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), a U.S. government agency. For more information about Zeal Credit Union, visit the credit union website
www.ZealCreditUnion.org or call 800-321-8570.
About Volunteers of America Michigan
Volunteers of America Michigan is a faith-based, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Operating since 1896, our ministry of service has supported and empowered the most vulnerable in the community. Volunteers of America is the state"s largest non-governmental provider of services to veterans. Volunteers of America also provides specialized housing for low-income elderly people. We believe in the dignity of every person and are committed to assisting clients achieve self-sufficiency. To learn more, visit
www.voami.org.
Photo Caption:� Tiffany Sweet, at left, of Zeal Credit Union and Stephanie Doud from Volunteers of America survey all of the new backpacks and school supplies collected for distribution to needy students throughout Michigan.
