United FCU Recognized for Outstanding Community Leadership
September 3, 2020
United was founded in 1949 by people just like you who believed in the values of the community and who believed in service to one another. We’ve been serving Members ever since, growing into who we are today with the knowledge that strength in numbers brings opportunities and prosperity to all of us.
ST. JOSEPH, Mich. – United Federal Credit Union received the Best Community Leadership award from the United Way of Southwest Michigan during a socially distanced awards ceremony—Celebration in a Box—held on August 27.
The credit union earned the award in part for its 2019 employee campaign which helped raise more than $22,000 for the United Way covering several communities in six states where United Federal Credit Union has branches. This represented a 32% increase in pledges and a 40% increase in employee participation.
The Best Community Leadership award recognizes organizations that demonstrate a deep commitment to the community through their support of United Way and by encouraging other local businesses to get involved, participating year-round in United Way community events, creating innovative and attention-grabbing events to engage interest in United Way activities, delivering effective and consistent communications that increase donor participation.
“We are incredibly humbled and honored to receive the Best Community Leadership award,” said Emily Szymkiewicz, United Federal Credit Union’s Vice President of Retail Operations. “The team at United Federal Credit Union includes amazing people from many different walks of life who are all connected by the passion to serve our members and to give back to the communities we call home. As a credit union, we believe in donating time, talent, and resources to help friends and neighbors in need, and we encourage others to look into volunteer opportunities available through the United Way.”
In 2019, United Federal Credit Union took its employee campaign to a new level by introducing an electronic pledging campaign that made it easy for employees across the country to donate to the United Way in their community and support local efforts. The innovative solution not only helped the credit union connect all of its employees to the campaign, it also will be an effective tool for the United Way to use for other organizations in years to come.
In addition to the annual employee campaign, United Federal Credit Union employees are active in a number of United Way initiatives throughout the year including Days of Action, such as Christmas in June, School Supply Spectacular, and Rake A Difference, participating in the United Way of Southwest Michigan’s annual Rock the Boat event, and even some who volunteer on the board of directors. Credit union employees also donated funds to the United Way through its Pay it Forward program held each December to support programs and events for the coming year, while the credit union as an organization sponsored a quarterly Pop Up giving event by providing the initial funds needed as well as helping to pick the top three submissions.
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About United
United Federal Credit Union has served its Members since 1949 by helping them to build a sound financial future. United consists of more than 177,000 Member/owners worldwide and manages assets in excess of $3.0 billion. Its corporate offices and main branch are in St. Joseph, Mich., with additional branches in Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Ohio. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal opportunity lender. Equal housing lender. For more information visit www.unitedfcu.com
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About United Way of Southwest Michigan
United Way of Southwest Michigan fights for the Health, Education, and Financial Stability of every person in every community. We have the influence and relationships to make sustainable change a reality. By harnessing resources from corporate, nonprofit, and public partners, we provide immediate assistance to our most vulnerable populations while addressing the root causes of our community's longstanding challenges and changing lives for the better. To join the fight—through giving, advocacy, and volunteering—visit www.uwsm.org.