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 2009, the Social Responsibility Committee established a goal of raising $150,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of New Hampshire and presented a check for $140,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of New Hampshire at the Richard D. Mahoney Credit Union Charity Golf Tournament on June 17, 2010 at Candia Woods Golf Links in Candia, NH.
To date, the credit unions of New Hampshire have donated more than $1.3 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
- August – New Hampshire Credit Union/Make-A-Wish Night at NH Fisher Cats
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 second year in a row!
Past Top Fundraising Credit Unions
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
2009/2010 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
Platinum Level - $5,000 - $9,999
Granite State Credit Union
New Hampshire Postal Credit Union
St. Mary's Bank Credit Union
Triangle Credit Union
Gold Level - $2,500 - $4,999
Holy Rosary Credit Union
Silver Level - $500 - $2,499
Monadnock Chapter
Northern Chapter
Cheshire County Federal Credit Union
Guardian Angel Credit Union
MembersFirst Credit Union of N.H.
Seacoast Credit Union
St. Joseph Hospital Employees Credit Union
Woodlands Credit Union
Bronze Level - $100 - $499
Cheshire Health Federal Credit Union
Precision Credit Union
Upper Valley Credit Union
National Social Responsibility Recognition Award Programs
Credit unions enter the Dora Maxwell Award program in one of seven 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 three asset categories.
Send your entry to Donna Bevilacqua, director, Communications and Community Relations by August 20. Each submission must be accompanied by a $50 entry fee made payable to the League. First place winners will advance to the national competition. National winners will be honored at the next Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C.
Click here for information on the 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.
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.
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."
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