Scott Credit Union Recognized for Partnering with Purple Heart Homes

Scott Credit Union has received a national honor, garnering a Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Diamond Award for marketing. The award was presented recently at the annual CUNA Marketing & Business Development Conference.

The award was presented by the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council, a national network comprised of over 1,300 credit union marketing and business development professionals. Awards are given annually in each of 36 categories ranging from advertising to community events and beyond.

Scott Credit Union won a Diamond Award for its partnership with Purple Heart Homes to make improvements to a Korean War Veteran’s home in the Alton area, according to Scott Credit Union Community Relations Supervisor Jennifer Hess.

“We are really honored to have won the award this year,” Hess said. “Credit union marketers from throughout the country submit entries for the awards. We have a great team of people and these awards really show the high quality of SCU’s marketing and community involvement. The competition is strong among the best of the best credit union marketers in the country.”

Scott Credit Union’s goal with the project was to make an impact on a local veteran 's life by collaborating with community partners, Hess noted

“We partnered with Purple Heart Homes, a national organization which provides housing solutions for service-connected disabled and aging veterans,” she added. “Through their national partnership with Home Depot, Purple Heart Homes put Scott Credit Union in touch with the Alton, IL store and its community outreach program, Team Depot.”

Scott Credit Union pledged $5,000 in financial support and organized the volunteers for the project, Hess noted.

She added that six months of project planning resulted in volunteers from Scott Credit Union and Home Depot painting the interior of the veteran’s home, as well as upgrading doors and lighting fixtures.

“The gentleman was extremely appreciative for everything he received through this strategic partnership,” Hess said. “The day of the project, 10 Scott Credit Union and nine Home Depot employees volunteered to make the home improvements over the course of nine hours.”

“Because Home Depot was able to donate all of the supplies, and volunteers contributed all needed labor, Scott Credit Union's pledge was transferred to an additional project in which the veteran's bathroom was completely renovated and made handicap accessible,” Hess added. “By combining resources, we were able to make a much greater impact than if we pursued such a project alone.”

Scott Credit Union is currently working with Purple Heart Homes on planning future projects, Hess noted.

Scott Credit Union has contributed about $2.9 million and its employees have volunteered over 20,000 hours to a variety of local civic efforts in the region in the past 10 years.

“We realize that without our members and the communities in which we serve, we would not exist as a financial alternative,” Hess said. “That is why it is so important for us to give back and support the communities in which we have locations.”

Scott Credit Union is a financial cooperative. When someone opens an account at the credit union, they become a member and an owner. Because of its structure, Scott Credit Union has given $11 million back to members through a bonus dividend and loan interest rebate over the past 11 years.

Scott Credit Union currently has 16 area locations: Scott Air Force Base; East Belleville; Fairview Heights; Collinsville; O’Fallon; Edwardsville; Waterloo; Highland; West Belleville; Mascoutah; Troy; Wood River; Columbia; Ladue, MO; Crestwood, MO; and its Home Office in Edwardsville.