The credit union commitment to ‘people helping people’ is felt both by credit union members, and throughout the communities in which credit union employees work and live.

The way Maine credit unions care for their communities is not only what keeps members returning to their local branches—it is also what drives these dedicated members and staff to continue reaching out to people in need.

Credit unions provide support and assistance to their members, staff and community through a variety of initiatives such as school activities, serving on boards, donating blood, working at soup kitchens, and participating in a variety of other events and activities.

Jon Paradise, AVP of Governmental & Public Affairs for the Maine Credit Union League, explained, “Maine credit unions are about serving their members and communities. Without fail, both staff and members of Maine credit unions embrace the credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people’ each day, not because they have to, but because it is the right thing to do.”

Since it began in 2002, Credit Unions Share for ME, a unique program that tracks volunteerism by Maine credit unions, has tabulated more than 41,536 hours in 2012, an impressive 19 percent increase over 2011 totals.

“People Remembering & Helping People” was the theme for the 11th anniversary 9/11 tribute by Maine’s credit unions to the five Red Cross Chapters of Maine. The event, held at the 9/11 Memorial in Portland, recognized the “efforts of the volunteers from Maine’s Red Cross Chapters and local food pantries who come to the ‘rescue’ of Mainers during their own times of tragedy and trauma.”

The Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger presented checks in the amount of $1,911 to all five Chapters, and $500 checks to five food pantries, one located in each Chapter.

Since 2001, through the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger, Maine’s credit unions have contributed over $66,000 the Emergency Food Relief Funds of Maine’s Red Cross Chapters in memory of 9/11.

The efforts of Maine’s credit unions directly impact the people in Maine who most need assistance. For example, in 2013, $28,525 was raised for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program through the efforts of a three-on-three basketball tournament, The 19th annual Swish-Out Childhood Cancer Challenge, which is coordinated by Maine’s credit unions.

Since the tournament began in 1994, the event has raised nearly $260,000 for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. One hundred percent of the funds raised from this event go directly to the program, allowing all funds to stay in the state of Maine. Next year’s event will be held on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014, at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham.

In response to the fires that impacted so many in the city of Lewiston this past Spring, area credit unions joined together to create an easy and secure way to raise funds for those who have been affected.

Through an initiative titled, “LIFTING LEWISTON: Credit Unions Coming Together to Support Our Neighbors,” community members could make a donation at a number of area credit union locations. All funds raised went to the American Red Cross — United Valley Chapter.

Maine’s Credit Unions also reached out to help those far from Maine’s borders. In November, the Maine Credit Union League partnered with The National Credit Union Foundation to raise funds through CUAid for credit unions and members along the East Coast affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Additionally, this past Spring, the Maine Credit Union League, again in conjunction with the NCUF, raised much needed funds for for the thousands of credit union employees, volunteers and members, as well as the general public, that were affected by the devastating tornadoes in Oklahoma.

Visit www.mainecul.org to see what Maine’s Credit Unions are doing in your town, county and across the state. Visit your local credit union to find out more on how you can help your credit union help others in your community.