PSECU Contributes $25K to Special Olympics

HARRISBURG, PA (June 18, 2020) — Pennsylvania’s anytime, anywhere digital credit union, PSECU, continued its ongoing, multi-year support of Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) through participation in the recent Virtual Summer Games Unified Sports Experience and by serving as the Alumni Sponsor of The Paterno Family Beaver Stadium Run. In total, the credit union’s 2020 contributions to the nonprofit come in at $25K.

“PSECU has been a great partner for us – not just because their mission aligns with ours, but because of how they have gone above and beyond for us during this time,” said SOPA President and CEO Matt Aaron. “When we had to pivot to do our events virtually, PSECU was with us every step of the way and really wanted to show their support for our athletes.”

“PSECU was founded on the idea of using pooled financial resources to provide opportunities for our member-owners and our local communities to succeed and thrive,” said PSECU President George Rudolph. “Just like we provide opportunities that help people to be their best, so does Special Olympics Pennsylvania, and we’re so proud to be able to support them again this year and to contribute to their outstanding work.” 

Most recently, the SOPA Virtual Summer Games took place from June 12-14. To participate, athletes selected a challenge in which to compete, with options including athletics, basketball, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, softball, swimming, and tennis. They then trained for their chosen event, keeping track of their best scores and successes as they proceeded. Finally, they submitted their best scores and uploaded their practice videos for a series of virtual events shared on Facebook, YouTube, and the Special Olympics Pennsylvania website.

As part of the Virtual Summer Games Unified Sports Experience, PSECU State College Regional Director Wyatt Troxell was partnered with SOPA athlete Christa Mereen for the standing long jump competition. The two supported one another in the event and virtually competed as Team PSECU.

“I am glad to be on Team PSECU… I can’t wait to do the standing long jump with you,” Mereen said in a video to Troxell before the event.

“Competing in the Virtual Summer Games Unified Sports Experience is such a great experience each year. I am really grateful to work for an organization like PSECU that supports a wide variety of good causes in the communities we serve,” Troxell said. “Virtually, Christa and I trained and prepared for the standing long jump together, and we encouraged each other along the way. It was a blast. Thank you for your partnership, Christa, and thank you to Special Olympics Pennsylvania for making it possible!”

Earlier this year, the Virtual Beaver Stadium Run took place from April 12-19. It included 3.1-mile run and 1-mile walk options and welcomed more than 2,000 participants, including seven individuals from PSECU’s Running Team, who helped raise more than $330,000 for the cause.

“On behalf of PSECU, congratulations to Wyatt and Christa on their outstanding teamwork in the standing long jump and to all those who participated in the Virtual Summer Games and the Beaver Stadium Run this year,” added Rudolph. “Thank you for your support of Special Olympics Pennsylvania and all it does to create a stronger Pennsylvania for everyone to enjoy.”

Photo: As Team PSECU, the credit union’s State College Regional Director Wyatt Troxell and athlete Christa Mereen participated in, and cheered for one another during, the standing long jump competition for Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Virtual Summer Games.

About PSECU

Opened in 1934, PSECU was founded by 22 ordinary people who pooled $90 and made an extraordinary commitment to each other: To create a financial institution where collective resources benefit all members. Today, PSECU continues that legacy as a leading full-service credit union managing more than $6 billion in assets and offering its over 450,000 members convenient anytime, anywhere digital banking options. PSECU was named a 2019 Best-In-State Credit Union by Forbes Magazine and a Best Credit Union of 2020 by GOBankingRates. For more information about PSECU, visit psecu.com. View its Year In Review to learn how PSECU contributes to the greater good.