SECU Youth Set New Record During 2016 Challenge Week – Saving over $3.4 Million!

“Launch into Saving!” display at SECU’s Raleigh-Six Forks Rd branch.

"Raleigh, N.C. – Nearly 19,000 FAT CAT and teen Zard members responded to State Employees’ Credit Union’s (SECU’s) Youth Saving Challenge – “Launch into Saving!” by setting a new record – depositing over $3.4 million into savings, while opening 679 new youth accounts!  The Credit Union used the popular theme of space exploration to inspire and cheer on its young members to start saving for future goals and dreams.  Participating savers who made a deposit during the April 18-22 week-long event were automatically entered in a random drawing for one FAT CAT and one Zard member to win an Apple iPad mini 2 and a $25 iTunes gift card.  For the second year in a row, each of SECU’s statewide offices hosted a kite giveaway, with 255 lucky winners walking away with an Atlantis space shuttle kite as featured in the photo.

The Credit Union’s Youth Saving Challenge is an annual event, held in conjunction with April’s Financial Literacy Month, to help North Carolina’s young citizens understand the importance of saving and developing good money habits at an early age.  Staff in SECU branches promoted “Launch into Saving!” with colorful displays and engaged youth with numerous themed educational activities.  To continue its financial literacy efforts during the month, SECU branches hosted youth appreciation days and conducted financial education presentations in-house and for local schools and community organizations, with SECU’s youth mascot FAT CAT often making appearances.

“This year’s NASA space-themed Challenge was a big hit with kids and parents alike,” said Holly Carroll, Vice President of SECU’s Raleigh-Six Forks Road branch.  “The event offered a great platform for our staff to connect with kids and the Saving Challenge provided an interesting and fun way for youth to learn about saving.  We always like to offer something extra special on the last day of the Challenge, so keeping in line with the theme, we served packets of freeze-dried ice cream in three flavors – just like the astronauts eat.  They loved it!”

About SECU

A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, SECU has been providing employees of the State of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for nearly 79 years.  The Credit Union also offers a diversified line of financial advisory services including retirement and education planning, tax preparation, insurance, trust and estate planning services, and investments through its partners and affiliated entities.  SECU serves 2 million members through 255 branch offices, over 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Member Services via phone and a website, www.ncsecu.org."

- A Press Release

Local SUBWAY® Sandwich Shops Show Appreciation to Habitat Volunteers

Statewide Effort Feeds Volunteers

Building 100 Homes in 100 NC Counties

"GREENSBORO, N.C., March 29, 2016 – Local SUBWAY® Sandwich Shops will salute Habitat for Humanity volunteers working on job sites with a free lunch during National Volunteer Week, April 10-16.

Habitat volunteers will play a key role in meeting the SECU Habitat Mountains to the Sea Challenge that started this year. This initiative will expand affordable housing across the state by building a home in each of North Carolina’s 100 counties.

“Subway’s generous donation allows us to say ‘thank you’ to our volunteers for helping us reach our goal of 100 homes in 100 counties,” said Greg Kirkpatrick, the new executive director of Habitat for Humanity of North Carolina. Kirkpatrick joined HHNC in July 2015.

SUBWAY® Sandwich Shops are donating lunches to hundreds of volunteers, including volunteers helping with the annual Upper Yadkin Valley Habitat Half Marathon and 5k Run/Walk and volunteers working on a project underway in Asheboro.

“Each Subway is independently owned and we like to be involved in our community,” said Deb Overby, local owner of 13 SUBWAY® Sandwich Shops in the Piedmont Triad. “We want to show appreciation to those who give their time and talents to help make the Triad area and our state stronger.”

Habitat has 71 affiliates and approximately 175,000 volunteers statewide. For more information on becoming a Habitat volunteer please visit www.habitatnc.org."

- A Press Release

SECU Features Student Art in Branches Throughout North Carolina!

"Raleigh, N.C. – In 2003, State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) launched a statewide artwork initiative that would provide art teachers with a community forum to feature their school’s art programs and the creative accomplishments of their students.  Twelve years later, this artwork partnership continues to delight the hearts of young students, their families and communities throughout North Carolina!

SECU branches have displayed a variety of art from participating schools ranging from pencil drawings and watercolors, to collages, clay sculptures and self-portraits.  Numerous branches across the state hold Art Gallery Days and receptions for students and their families, bringing a sense pride for students, art education leaders and local schools.

SECU’s Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard branch has a current exhibit from Central Park School for Children, which is first in the photo collage.  “The creativity is amazing!  Art really engages students, giving them an outlet to express themselves and interpret perhaps their dreams, a poem, a story or who inspires them,” said Warren Peacock, Senior Vice President of the Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard branch.  “We are happy to partner with our schools to feature the beautiful artwork; SECU members really enjoy the colorful and diverse creations!”

Central Park School for Children has been a partner in the initiative for approximately five years. Elementary Art teacher Lucia Marcus commented, “State Employees’ Credit Union provides an excellent way to highlight the creative work of our students within the community.  The exposure helps us showcase one of our core beliefs – that the arts should be integrated into a child’s learning to enrich all areas of their education.  The displays are a big hit with the students, helping build their self-esteem and giving them a chance to see their accomplishments beyond the classroom walls.  We appreciate the Credit Union’s continued support!”

Peacock continued, “What started out as small project twelve years ago has developed into community recognition statewide for school art programs and teachers who encourage their students to use their imagination and skill to create such unique artwork – and they certainly deserve the spotlight.”

About SECU

A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, SECU has been providing employees of the State of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for 78 years.  The Credit Union also offers a diversified line of financial advisory services including retirement and education planning, tax preparation, insurance, trusts, estate planning and investments through its partners and affiliated entities.  SECU serves 2 million members through 254 branch offices, over 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Contact Centers and a website, www.ncsecu.org."

- A Press Release