SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Each credit union is an integral part of the community it serves, whether that community is made up of cities and towns, a workplace or a community formed by people who share an interest of some kind. Unlike for-profit financial institutions, credit unions are cooperatives that exist solely for the purpose of providing for the financial needs of their members. Therefore, it is quite easy to understand how naturally Social Responsibility comes to credit unions.

The League actively supports and encourages credit unions in their community outreach efforts. In support of those efforts, the League maintains a committee on Social Responsibility. The purpose of that committee is to develop a unified plan of social responsibility for the League through recommendations to the League's Board of Directors. That plan features programs and events that focus statewide efforts on designated charitable and community activities and that enhance the positive image of credit unions as well as the public's overall awareness of them.
 

Make-A-Wish® Foundation of New Hampshire

The League has established a very strong partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of New Hampshire since 1997. Through a variety of events and activities, the Social Responsibility Committee through the League provides a vehicle through which the credit unions of New Hampshire can combine resources to address the wishes of children who face life-threatening medical conditions. To gain a better understanding of the fine work that this organization does, please visit their website at www.newhampshire.wish.org/.

Fundraising Goals
In September 2010, the Social Responsibility Committee established a goal of raising $145,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of New Hampshire and presented a check for $150,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of New Hampshire at the Richard D. Mahoney Credit Union Charity Golf Tournament on June 16, 2011 at Candia Woods Golf Links in Candia, NH.

To date, the credit unions of New Hampshire have donated nearly $1.5 million to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of New Hampshire and have provided hundreds of wishes for many children. The New Hampshire credit unions can be proud of the efforts that have been made in helping the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of New Hampshire bring smiles and joy to the world of special children, one child at a time.

Fundraising Events
Year round – Designs by Lucinda Pins
June thru September – Water Country Discount Ticket Sale
June thru September – Canobie Lake Park Discount Ticket Sale
Early November – Calendar Raffle program
December thru March – Candy bar sales (Granite State Candy Shoppe)
June – Richard D. Mahoney Credit Union Charity Golf Tournament
 

Credit Union Recognition Program
 
The Social Responsibility Committee established a special recognition program that recognizes all credit unions that reach a fundraising goal for the year. The fundraising goals are as follow: Bronze Level - $100-$499; Silver Level - $500-$2,499; Gold Level - $2,500-$4,999; Platinum Level - $5,000-$9,999; and Titanium Level - $10,000. In addition, one credit union is recognized as the top fundraising credit union of the year and receives a special plaque to be displayed at the credit union for the year. The top fundraising credit union is determined by the most dollars raised on a per member basis (December membership information is used). All contributions are included in the recognition program. Congratulations to St. Joseph Hospital Employees’ Credit Union for being this year's top fundraising credit union for the third year in a row!

Past Top Fundraising Credit Unions
2011 – St. Joseph Hospital Employees’ Credit Union
2010 – St. Joseph Hospital Employees’ Credit Union
2009 – St. Joseph Hospital Employees’ Credit Union
2008 – Gropaco Federal Credit Union
2007 – Gropaco Federal Credit Union
2006 - Gropaco Federal Credit Union
2005 - Gropaco Federal Credit Union
2004 - Union Leader Employees Credit Union
2003 - Gropaco Federal Credit Union
2002 - Gropaco Federal Credit Union

2010/2011 Credit Union Fundraising Levels
Titanium Level - $10,000
Merrimack Valley Chapter
Bellwether Community Credit Union
New Hampshire Federal Credit Union
Northeast Credit Union
Service Credit Union
Triangle Credit Union

Platinum Level - $5,000 - $9,999
Granite State Credit Union
St. Mary's Bank Credit Union

Gold Level - $2,500 - $4,999
Guardian Angel Credit Union
Holy Rosary Credit Union
New Hampshire Postal Credit Union
St. Joseph Hospital Employees’ Credit Union

Silver Level - $500 - $2,499
Monadnock Chapter
Northern Chapter
Cheshire County Federal Credit Union
Woodlands Credit Union

Bronze Level - $100 - $499
Cheshire Health Federal Credit Union
Gropaco Federal Credit Union
Seacoast Credit Union

$100,000 Donations
The following credit unions have donated more than $100,000 in the last 10 years to the Make-A-Wish Foundation®of New Hampshire.
Service Credit Union
Bellwether Community Credit Union
Triangle Credit Union
Northeast Credit Union
 

National Social Responsibility Recognition Award Programs

Since 1987, the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Recognition Award has honored credit unions for their charitable works in their communities. Some credit unions have ongoing programs and establish a special relationship with local social service agencies or school programs. Other programs address many different needs in the community. No matter the size or scope of a project, each participating credit union builds its reputation as a good corporate citizen along the way.

Credit unions enter the Dora Maxwell Award program in one of eight asset categories or the chapter/multiple credit union group category.

Beginning in 1990, the Louise Herring Award for Philosophy in Action has commended credit unions that make exceptional efforts to include credit union philosophy in their daily operations and member service. Programs that provide financial education to particular member groups within the credit union or special assistance to low-income members struggling to pay heating bills, for example, are clear examples of the philosophy that sets credit unions apart from other financial institutions.

Entrants in the Louise Herring Award program compete in four asset categories.

This year's national winners will be honored at the next Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C.

Click here for information on the 2013 Dora Maxwell and Louise Herring Award including their entry forms.

For more information, contact Donna Bevilacqua, director, Communications and Community Relations, at 1-800-842-1242 or dbevilacqua@cucenter.org.


Individual Credit Union Charities

Credit unions throughout the state are making a major effort to support those less fortunate. Many imaginative and effective programs have been undertaken to support their communities. Credit unions have traditionally embraced the concept of "people helping people."