When you’re singled out for any major recognition, there are always competitors who will consider it to be a one-off fluke, or maybe even “less than worthy.” However, when your team manages to take top honors in a major industry award recognition for a second consecutive year, even detractors have to think, wow…these guys are good. Such is the case for our friends around town at the helm of United Federal Credit Union where they are now two-time winners of the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Outreach Award competition for Michigan-based credit unions.
The Dora Maxwell Award recognizes credit unions that have excelled in community relations and are committed to ongoing charitable programs within their communities. The competition is administered at the state level by the Michigan Credit Union League.
United Federal President & CEO Terry O’Rourke says, “We are deeply appreciative of this honor.” He quickly adds, “It is always gratifying to be recognized, and especially so when the honor reflects our commitment to strengthening the communities we serve.”
UFCU received the award for its sponsorship of the 2016 Berrien County Girls on the Run program. Girls on the Run teaches lifelong health, fitness, and self-esteem to girls ages 8-14 who meet in small teams twice a week to learn life skills. The girls also train for a non-competitive 5K that is held at the conclusion of the 10-week program.
UFCU has been sponsoring the Berrien County Girls on the Run program since it began in 2009, and has served as presenting sponsor since 2013. The credit union’s support of the program is demonstrated not only with financial support, but also through volunteerism and by lending the professional expertise of staff to market the event. Employees spent an estimated 200 hours volunteering with the local Girls on the Run program last year.
This is UFCU’s second Dora Maxwell Award in as many years. The credit union received the honor for its Pay It Forward program in 2015. The idea for Pay It Forward came from employees during the economic downturn in 2008 when they requested that funds set aside for annual holiday parties be used to help the needy instead. UFCU responded by giving each employee a set amount of funds to donate to the individual, family or charitable organization of his or her choice — a practice that continues to grow as UFCU’s footprint and workforce grows.
United Federal Credit Union has served its members since 1949 by helping them to build a sound financial future. UFCU consists of more than 150,000 member/owners worldwide, and manages assets in excess of $2 billion. United Federal’s corporate offices and main branch are located in St. Joseph, with additional branches elsewhere in Michigan as well as in Arkansas, Indiana, North Carolina, Nevada, and Ohio.
Congratulations to Terry O’Rourke and his entire team at United Federal for this top-notch encore award among colleagues.
