Del Norte Credit Union Employees Donate $2,000 for Youth Charities

SANTA FE, NM (September 1, 2016) The employees of Del Norte Credit Union (DNCU), Northern New Mexicos hometown financial cooperative, consistently participate in a variety of charity events, and demonstrate a strong level of volunteerism and civic pride. In recent months, the staff has accelerated its charitable giving with the establishment of a special program called DNCUs Teen Day Tuesdays, which raises funds via employee donations specifically earmarked for local youth causes. Why the youth of northern New Mexico? According to a staff-wide survey, youth were overwhelmingly identified as the cause most near and dear to DNCU staffers hearts and the cause they would like their personal money to benefit. According to Deb Salazar, COO of DNCU, DNCUs Teen Day Tuesdays allows employees who donate into the designated fund the ability to wear jeans on that particular Tuesday along with a Teen Day Tuesdays button, while helping grow the youth-oriented fund. Periodically the funds are then donated to specific local youth organizations or programs. In just four months since its inception in late April 2016, DNCU employees have donated just over $2,000 into the Teen Day Tuesdays fund, showing an outstanding generosity of spirit. "I think its incredible how the staff of DNCU has given this significant amount to help youth in the communities in which we serve," says Salazar. "Our employees love to wear jeans," she jokes. Whenever funds are donated to the particular youth organization, DNCU matches the amount, dollar for dollar. Recipients of the donations thus far in 2016 include Espanola Youth Center, Santa Fe- based Youthworks, and most recently, White Rock Youth Activity Center (a program of Los Alamos Family Council). Joy Beery, executive director of Los Alamos Family Council, accepted the DNCU donation at the DNCU White Rock Grand Opening in late July 2016. "I know our first immediate need is to replace our popcorn machine, which is 15 years old and recently bit the dust. The kids really look forward to popcorn about once a week when they watch a movie and it is also used for special events. I also want to express how moving it is that Del Norte staff is raising money to help youth and teens in the area. I am very touched."