Bowater CU Pays it Forward to Local Elementary School

October 23, 2019

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CALHOUN – Bowater Credit Union Members John and Jill Griffey have won a $1,000 Pay It Forward prize for North Lee Elementary PTO. “All seven of our children attended North Lee Elementary . . . We know firsthand how diligently and successfully their PTO has supported North Lee Elementary through volunteer service and fundraising efforts,” wrote the Griffeys.

Bowater Credit Union has asked its members to nominate their favorite non-profit helping people in the counties eligible for credit union membership: Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, and Polk.  North Lee Elementary PTO is the third winner of 2019.

The Griffeys shared noteworthy ways in which the PTO supports North Lee Elementary, including paying the salaries for the school’s art and technology instructors, by purchasing half of the Chromebooks used in the classrooms, and recently by endeavoring to help improve the school’s security.  The Griffeys noted that “While other Bradley County schools have received federal money to upgrade security, North Lee has not received this federal funding.”

To find out more about the North Lee Elementary PTO or to make your own contribution, email the PTO board at nleepto@gmail.com.

The Pay It Forward program will continue through 2019, and that means any member of Bowater Credit Union can nominate their favorite non-profit for a $1,000 Pay It Forward prize.  Two more prizes will be given out in 2019, and the deadline to be considered for the next prize is November 30.

Bowater Credit Union began the Pay It Forward program in 2010 as a way to give back to the community it serves.  Since the program’s inception, Bowater CU has given $43,000 to various charities making a difference in our community.  For more information, visit BowaterECU.org.

Bowater Employees Credit Union is a federally insured credit union offering savings, checking, loans, and financial education to those who live, work, or go to school in the counties of Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, and Polk.  They have five branches, over 17,000 members, and $175 million in assets.  To learn more about Bowater Employees Credit Union and its services, call 423-336-7268 or visit BowaterECU.org.

If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview please call Kim Gunter at 423-303-5610 or email her at kgunter@bowaterecu.org.

Pictured from left to right: Erin Blankenship, Bowater CU Hardwick Farms Branch Manager; Karen Liner, PTO President; Dana Yost, North Lee Principal; Jeani Featherngill, PTO Secretary; Cara Moon, PTO Treasurer; Jennifer Martin, PTO; Mandi Chase, PTO Vice President; Sarah Coleman, PTO; Jill Griffey, Bowater CU Member; John Griffey, Bowater CU Member

Quantifying the Good
$1,000+ Money Donated
$33K+ Total All Time Reported Impact