Shared Interest - December 2023
Showing Up for the Holidays
Hey, everybody!
You’re reading December’s digital edition of Shared Interest - the Achieve Credit Union newsletter.
Get caught up on all the good things happening at your credit union.
And if you like what you see, please share our newsletter with your family, friends, and neighbors.
Let’s dive in…
Like a Good Neighbor…
No, we’re not talking about State Farm commercials.
Achieve CU partnered earlier this month with The Neighborhood Alliance and their Christmas For Caring program.
Members and employees dropped off donations at our branches like everyday household cleaning supplies, children’s clothing, personal care items, and family games for Family Care Baskets.
Our giving campaign wasn’t very long - just under two weeks - and despite the short time window, our members showed up in a big way. Your contributions filled 10 BASKETS for families in need during the holidays!
Check out the video when we showed up at The Neighborhood Alliance with baskets in hand!
“When I first saw your baskets come in, and I saw them all wrapped up, decorated, and they were fully loaded baskets - that’s the vision that I have!”
Serving Those Who Served Us First
You may be familiar with our annual Wreath Display and Auction that happens around Veterans Day.
Achieve CU employees split into teams and work together to purchase materials and then design themed wreaths. These wreaths hang up in our branch lobbies for members to “vote” on their favorite with a cash donation. Members can also participate in a silent auction to bid on a wreath to take home.
And, of course, there’s some friendly competition among ourselves to see whose wreath gets the most “votes” and wins the highest silent auction bid.
Between the cash donations and the winning auction bids, we raised $600 for Valor Home Lorain County! That's $200 more than last year!
Thanks to our outstanding members and employees for your contributions!
Take a look at the video we made after delivering the check to Valor Home Lorain County.
A Surprise to Remember!
During our Credit Union Week celebrations back in October, we wanted to reward a Lorain County teacher with a $100.00 gift card - just for being an awesome teacher!
So we posted this on our Facebook page and asked you to tell us who should get that gift card.
The comments section filled quickly with stories of dedicated teachers, many written by current and former students.
And having to choose only ONE gift card recipient was very tough.
A random drawing gave us the winning teacher: Horizon Science Academy of Lorain’s Jeff Ruebensaal.
Christina Rosalez, a former student of Mr. Ruebensaal who nominated him on Facebook, wrote in her comment:
“He actually takes time with his students and helps them understand, an amazing influence on all he comes across! We definitely need more teachers like him!”
Thanks to some inside help from several Horizon Science Academy staff members, we stopped by to surprise Mr. Ruebensaal in front of his class!
Follow our Facebook page for future gift card giveaways coming in 2024…
Santa Claus is Coming To…Elyria!
Santa Claus is coming to town and making a stop at our Elyria Branch lobby on 340 Griswold Road!
Save the date: December 22, from 12:00 PM -2:00 PM.
Bring the little ones for a magical encounter with the jolly man in red!
Each child will receive a delightful mini-stocking filled with sweet treats and the chance to capture a special moment with Santa in a festive photo.
Mark your calendars, spread the cheer with family and friends, and join us for a holly-jolly time!
2024 Young Adult Scholarship: Now Accepting Applications
You may know a current high school senior or college student between the ages of 17-25.
The 2024 Young Adult Scholarship application period is OPEN through March 1, 2024.
Our Young Adult Scholarship program may award up to four non-renewable scholarships of $1,000 each, including the Warren Wallace Education Major Scholarship.
Up to two scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors; up to two scholarships will be awarded to students currently enrolled as full-time students at any post-secondary educational institution.
The Age of Inspiration
Lastly, here’s a story too good not to share.
Need proof it’s NOT too late to achieve your goals?
Meet Martin Buck. He’s a 69 year-old Navy veteran and, now, college graduate.
According to the University of Toledo, Martin always carried the long-term goal of obtaining a college degree. After graduating with an associate of arts degree from Lorain County Community College (LCCC) in 2020, he enrolled at UToledo through the University Partnership Program.
“It has always been a personal goal of mine to have a college degree,” said Buck. “At almost 70 years old, I will be the first in my family to have a degree.”
Set to graduate in December with a bachelor of arts degree in liberal studies, Buck said he hopes that his accomplishments will inspire his friends and family — particularly his nieces and nephews — and let them know that it is never too late to reach your goals.
Read more about Martin’s remarkable journey.
Martin, Achieve Credit Union salutes your service - and your determination!
Coming up in January…
For those who’ve scrolled down this far: thank you, and you’re all awesome!
You see we had A LOT of good stuff to share this month. We had to leave some things on the cutting room floor to keep this edition readable!.
So stay tuned for January’s Shared Interest | Digital Edition.
We’ll dive into the financial literacy sessions we’ve been teaching in high schools throughout Lorain County.
Supporting educators is deeply rooted in our credit union’s history. Showing up at schools throughout our community to teach financial literacy will be a big part of 2024.
In the meantime, have a joyous and peaceful holiday season, and a Happy New Year!
- - -
Scott Nelson
Marketing Director
Achieve Credit Union
Scott Nelson
Scott Nelson has served as Achieve Credit Union’s Marketing Director since 2022. Scott’s a big fan of credit unions and the positive impact they have on the local communities they serve.
Fun fact: You may see Scott at your local high school baseball games - as an umpire.