Credit union makes $10,000 gift to local united way
February 20, 2013
Photo left to right: UFCU VP of Member Relations James Knight, United Way Director of Business Development Sharon Polfus, United Way President Anna Murphy, and UFCU VP of Member Relations Brett Wier
United Federal Credit Union of St. Joseph, MI�announced that it donated $10,000 to the United Way of Southwest Michigan for its Girls on the Run program as its presenting sponsor. The life-changing non-profit program in its fifth year is for 3rd through 8th grade girls in Berrien County. Girls on the Run combines training for a 5K running event with lessons that inspire girls to become independent thinkers, enhance their problem-solving skills, and make healthy decisions. Approximately 800 girls will participate in the 2013 season.
"This is such a great program, and we are proud to be the presenting sponsor supporting young girls. They are our future leaders," stated United Federal Credit Union CEO/President Gary Easterling. "In preparing themselves to complete a 5K event, the girls set goals, work hard, and ultimately learn that anything is possible." The 10-week program begins the week of March 4, and culminates with the Girls on the Run 5K on Thursday, May 23, at the Berrien County Youth Fairgrounds. The participants attend 20 sessions leading up to the event. Topics range from body image to negative media influences, bullying, and gossip. Each group of 8-15 girls is led by a trained volunteer Program Coach who teaches the curriculum. "Girls on the Run is not a running program; its a character development program that teaches life skills in a creative and active way," stated United Way of Southwest Michigan President Anna Murphy. "The curriculum addresses issues faced by preteen girls by incorporating lessons about selfesteem and making healthy choices with physical activity, fun, and creative games. We are grateful to United Federal Credit Union for their partnership as the Girls on the Run presenting sponsor." Murphy said that academic evaluations of the program show a statistically significant improvement in body image, eating attitudes, and self-esteem for participants as well as improved sense of identity and an increasingly active lifestyle. Approximately 2,200 girls from Berrien County have gone through the program since 2009.