North Star Community Credit Unions third annual backpack exchange took place on August 11th in Grafton, ND during the credit unions Member Appreciation Picnic.� This year, North Star CCU had a total of 72 backpacks available, and were able to provide each and every child that stood in line with a gently used backpack containing an assortment of school supplies.� The waiting line formed at 1 pm outside the front door of the credit union.� The children were allowed to go in one at a time, with a thirty second time frame to choose a backpack, and then come out and high five the next child in line.� The process continued until the last child had picked their backpack.
"This is always such a feel good event," said Nanci Wilson, Member Service Manager at North Star CCU and organizer of this annual event.� "The kids are so excited and the parents are so thankful, we even received Thank You cards in the mail from children that were able to take part in the event."
Because this is the third year for this backpack exchange, the Grafton community now anticipates the event and starts to donate almost as soon as the exchange is over for the following year.� The Lutheran Sunset Home of Grafton has donated $100 dollars towards next year's exchange, and the credit union already has a new stack of backpacks ready to go for next year!
With the success of this program in Grafton, North Star CCU hopes to expand this program to their other branches that have a need.� "It's truly been awesome to see an event go from the planning stages to live and thriving," concludes Wilson.
