Washington State Employees Credit Union Gives Back to Local Food Banks in Recognition of #GivingTuesday

wsecu giving tuesday
Giving back to the community is part of WSECU's philosophy. #WSECUAllIn.
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By Margo Greenman

wsecu giving tuesday
Giving back to the community is part of WSECU’s philosophy.  The credit union made donations to 11 food banks, including Thurston County, on #GivingTuesday.

Did you hear or see the term #GivingTuesday being tossed around earlier last week? If you answered, “yes,” that’s because this two-year-old concept is catching like fire across the nation, encouraging people to put holiday gift shopping on hold and pick-up their checkbooks for a good cause.

#GivingTuesday, which takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, started in 2012 as a reaction to designated consumerism days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. While the concept is still new, it has been quickly propelled thanks to the likes of hashtag activism and big-time supporters like Olympia’s own (WSECU).

Not-for-profit financial cooperative WSECU made their first #GivingTuesday donation last year, matching $2,500 in contributions made to the non-profit group Homes First, a local advocate for affordable housing in Thurston County. Wanting to give again this year, WSECU decided to make donations to 11 food banks across the state. Playing off of this year’s Dec. 2 event date, the donations were made in the amount $1,202.

wsecu giving tuedsay
A WSECU branch manager presents Medical Lake Food Bank with a check in the amount of $1,202 during #GivingTuesday.

“We really pride ourselves in a deep commitment of giving back,” said WSECU’s Vice President of Public Relations, Ann Flannigan. “The food banks were extremely grateful, and our branch managers who went out and delivered the checks were exposed to just how beneficial food banks are to the communities they serve,” she explained. “When we better understand the resources available in the community, that makes us better credit union employees.”

As WSECU branch managers busily delivered checks, WSECU helped spread the word about #GivingTuesday and their own contribution via Twitter: “It’s #GivingTuesday & we’re donating $1,202 (get it – 12/2?) to each of the 11 food banks across the state! #WSECUAllIn #creditunions.”

Like the “giving back” message conveyed through the #GivingTuesday hashtag, WSECU’s branded “#WSECUAllIn” tag is another example of their commitment to the communities they serve. “It applies in many ways, some subtle, some less subtle,” said Flannigan. “What [#WSECUAllIn] really represents is 100 percent commitment to our members and the greater community. On a secondary level, in 2013 we opened up our membership to any resident in the state – there’s a bit of a nod there as well – everyone’s in.”

For WSECU, giving back isn’t a one-time holiday bandwagon, it’s a philosophy the company lives by year-round. Flannigan said WSECU implements a variety of programs throughout their branches that benefit the communities they serve. And, for WSECU, giving back doesn’t just come in the form of a check.

“When we enter a new relationship with a non-profit, yes, we can sponsor an auction or other event, but we also like to come in and educate the staff through financial wellness classes,” explained Flannigan. The classes, which are offered free of charge, are a great opportunity for individuals in the non-profit sector to expand their financial knowledge.

wsecu giving tuesday
Monetary donations are just one of the ways WSECU gives back to communities across Washington State. #WSECUAllIn

Another way WSECU gives back is by offering WSECU employees 8-hours of paid-time-off to volunteer in the community. This is a new benefit that was introduced in January of 2014. Flannigan said in the program’s first year WSECU hoped to see 25 percent of their 525 employees take advantage of the incentive. As of the end of November, 52 percent of WSECU’s employees have put in volunteer hours through the incentive. “To see this type of reaction and response from our employees is great,” remarked Flannigan.

While #GivingTuesday has come and gone, WSECU will surely find creative ways to positively impact local charities and non-profits throughout the year, just as they have in year’s past. To learn more about WSECU and their community commitment, visit WSECU’s website here.

All photos courtesy WSECU.

 

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