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SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- A record number of 64 credit unions and partnering organizations, with over 2,300 employees, volunteered 10,000+ hours on October 11 impacting more than 540,000 people all over the state. Now in its 5th year, CU Forward Day is a Minnesota state-wide initiative held annually on the second Monday in October. Credit unions employees, members and partners come together to do one simple thing – spread kindness. Navigating the ongoing pandemic, many credit unions opted to participate with smaller group sizes and outdoor activities, however, the goal of coming together as an industry to give back throughout Minnesota remained consistent. “CU Forward Day exemplifies the people “helping people philosophy” with volunteers across Minnesota spending one day to give back to their communities in big and small ways,” said Mark Cummins, President and CEO of the Minnesota Credit Union Network, the state’s trade association for credit unions. Examples of service projects for the day included: Volunteering and fundraising for local nonprofits like Second Harvest, Feed My Starving Children, United Way, Adopt a Hiway, Human Society, and many more. Packing meals and food drives to address hunger in locations across Minnesota. Park and yard cleanup projects. Document shred days and flu shot clinics. Virtual examples include employees making tie blankets at home or purchasing items from a non-profit’s Amazon Wish List. Many simply performing random acts of kindness in their communities like buying coffee for strangers, grocery shopping or handing out gas cards. In 2013, Saint Paul-based credit union, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, hosted their first organization-wide Plus It Forward Day. A play on “pay it forward”, the Plus It Forward concept grew out of an employee-driven idea of what it meant to be a part of the community, to give back and how credit unions could randomly spread kindness. In a response to the growing cooperative nature of the event, the Minnesota Credit Union Network assumed the coordination of credit union participation, tracking and media efforts going forward under the umbrella name CU Forward Day starting in 2017. About MnCUN The Minnesota Credit Union Network is the statewide trade association that works to ensure the success, growth, and vitality of Minnesota credit unions. With nearly $34 billion in assets, Minnesota credit unions are local, trusted financial cooperatives that serve nearly 2 million members at almost 400 branch locations around the state. As not-for-profit institutions, credit unions give back to the communities they serve. For more information, visit mncun.org.
SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- A record number of 64 credit unions and partnering organizations, with over 2,300 employees, volunteered 10,000+ hours on October 11 impacting more than 540,000 people all over the state. Now in its 5th year, CU Forward Day is a Minnesota state-wide initiative held annually on the second Monday in October. Credit unions employees, members and partners come together to do one simple thing – spread kindness. Navigating the ongoing pandemic, many credit unions opted to participate with smaller group sizes and outdoor activities, however, the goal of coming together as an industry to give back throughout Minnesota remained consistent.
“CU Forward Day exemplifies the people “helping people philosophy” with volunteers across Minnesota spending one day to give back to their communities in big and small ways,” said Mark Cummins, President and CEO of the Minnesota Credit Union Network, the state’s trade association for credit unions.
Examples of service projects for the day included:
In 2013, Saint Paul-based credit union, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, hosted their first organization-wide Plus It Forward Day. A play on “pay it forward”, the Plus It Forward concept grew out of an employee-driven idea of what it meant to be a part of the community, to give back and how credit unions could randomly spread kindness. In a response to the growing cooperative nature of the event, the Minnesota Credit Union Network assumed the coordination of credit union participation, tracking and media efforts going forward under the umbrella name CU Forward Day starting in 2017.
About MnCUN
The Minnesota Credit Union Network is the statewide trade association that works to ensure the success, growth, and vitality of Minnesota credit unions. With nearly $34 billion in assets, Minnesota credit unions are local, trusted financial cooperatives that serve nearly 2 million members at almost 400 branch locations around the state. As not-for-profit institutions, credit unions give back to the communities they serve. For more information, visit mncun.org.