LIHU‘E — Throughout the island, festivities and celebrations sprouted at credit unions in honor of its members on Thursday, International Credit Union Day. The celebrations were not limited to Thursday alone, said Lisa Murphy-Allison, the marketing director at the Kaua‘i
LIHU‘E — Throughout the island, festivities and celebrations sprouted at credit unions in honor of its members on Thursday, International Credit Union Day.
The celebrations were not limited to Thursday alone, said Lisa Murphy-Allison, the marketing director at the Kaua‘i Federal Employees Federal Credit Union.
“Tuesday, we had nearly 200 people representing all of the credit unions on the island at a dinner at the Courtyard by Marriott at Coconut Beach where we were joined by Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. and all of the Kaua‘i County Council members,” Murphy-Allison said.
KGEFCU hosted first grade students from the nearby Elsie Wilcox Elementary School Thursday. The credit union collaborated with the school in a coloring contest based on the theme “Members Matter Most” and the winners were named during the Thursday morning field trip.
“We’ve got classes coming all morning, on the hour,” Murphy-Allison said. “The students get a tour of the facility and have a lesson in savings. They also get a money book, which offers invaluable advice on managing money.”
She said Monday, KGEFCU hosted “Savings Day” where the Kaua‘i Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy and Neighborhood Watch programs were invited to the credit union.
“Tuesday, we had the county’s recycling program in here, offering our members tips on recycling and answering questions,” Murphy-Allison said. “Do you know we have an eWaste collection coming up next week Friday and Saturday?”
On Wednesday, the staff hosted a bake sale where proceeds benefited the Kaua‘i United Way.
“We had a 100 percent participation and raised more than $240,” she said. “But it doesn’t end there because Corinne King, our CEO, is matching what the employees raised, and the credit union is matching the total.”
Kim Kato, manager of the Kaua‘i Teachers Federal Credit Union, said they allowed its members to set up a craft fair outside the credit union Thursday, in addition to treating its members to free refreshments.
“We’re all dressed in international attire in celebration of ‘International,’” Kato said. “And our refreshments are all baked, not bought.”
Earlier in the week, Tess Shimabukuro of the Kaua‘i Community Federal Credit Union said its branches were having celebrations throughout the week, but was not certain of the specifics.
“All I know is we’re having a car wash starting at 1 p.m.,” she said Tuesday. “We’ve had bake sales with each branch coming up with different items, and there are lots of other things taking place all week.”
The Garden Island Federal Credit Union, KCFCU, Kaumakani Federal Credit Union, Kekaha Federal Credit Union, Koloa Federal Credit Union, KGEFCU and the McBryde Federal Credit Union are listed as credit unions on Kaua‘i.
They join other credit unions around the globe who continually demonstrate its ability to improve the lives of individuals, families, communities and countries for generations, states the Credit Union National Association website.
