Valley Credit Union Donated $8,000 to Establish School Library

Billings, MT - Last year, Valley CU started a wonderful, long-term relationship with Explorers Academy, a Head Start program that serves Billings-area kids and their families. Valley got the ball rolling with an $8,000 donation to help establish the school's library … and, then, the fun started! In an effort to keep the library shelves stocked with age-appropriate reading material, every Valley CU branch now has a “Bookie Monster” book receptacle that members and the community can "feed" with new and gently used books for the school. In addition to collecting and donating the books, Valley staff also contribute time. One day each month, two employees head over to the the school to read with students in the classrooms. At the end of the school year Valley staff volunteered and spent a day in the library getting the books back in ABC order. Matt Macrow, Valley marketing coordinator, says, “credit unions are about serving the underserved. Valley believes strongly in this idea. The Explorers Academy has the same mentality by serving low income and foster care children. We feel our partnership with Explorers Academy is the perfect match for us.”