adminPen Air FCU Partners with Purple Heart Homes to assist veterans in need
On Tuesday, September 11, in recognition of National Day of Service, Pen Air Federal Credit Union (Pen Air) partnered with Purple Heart Homes’ program Operation Veteran Home Renovation to help Jimmie Perkins, a local veteran, with much needed home repairs.
Perkins’ home was chosen as one of two veterans’ homes in Pensacola to receive renovations through a national collaboration with the National League of Cities, Purple Heart Homes and the Home Depot Foundation. This program was brought to Pensacola with the intent of upgrading and performing major home repairs for approved veterans. Pen Air donated $5,000 towards the project costs. His home repairs will first focus on safety issues inside and outside the home and range from railings, ramps, grab bars, paint and landscaping. All repairs will be completed by November 12, Veteran’s Day.
Perkins enlisted in the Army to serve in the Vietnam War in 1962. He served in Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri before being stationed in Germany. He transitioned to the Army Reserves in 1970, where he served for many more years. After leaving the military he returned to civilian life in Pensacola where he became a teacher.
Operation Veteran Home Renovation was created bring awareness to the many housing challenges older veterans and their families face. Many have service connected disabilities, combined with age, and can no longer do the repairs themselves. Pensacola has 5,523 veterans residing in the city, of that, seventy-nine percent are age 60 and older.
“We are honored to partner with Purple Heart Homes to enhance the life of Mr. Perkins,” said Carroll Scarborough, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Pen Air. “We know the importance of the community coming together to provide ways for these heroes to live safely and with dignity in their homes. Today is about honoring Jimmie for his service to our nation, and respecting all lives impacted by the events on 9/11 as we celebrate this Day of Service.”
Volunteers from Pen Air and the 451st Flying Training Air Force Squadron helped to clean up Perkins’ yard as the start of the project. To learn more about Purple Heart Homes, visit phhusa.org
LSCU staff and credit union affiliates attend Hike the Hill to focus on grassroots efforts
Credit union officials from Alabama and Florida headed to Capitol Hill this week for the annual LSCU Hike the Hill. While several registered attendees chose not to make the trip due to travel concerns related to a Hurricane Florence, those who did make it to Washington truly made an impact. Prior to bringing the credit union message to Capitol Hill, 15 credit union officials joined colleagues from the Georgia Credit Union Affiliates at a Wednesday meeting with the NCUA’s Larry Fazio and Martha Ninichuk to discuss topics such as RBC Delay, a rule on supplemental capital, the outstanding payday alternative loans rule and other issues important to credit unions. The two groups then joined for a briefing on legislative issues and a reception at CUNA’s new offices.
Credit unions visited the offices of lawmakers to take about data security, the tax status of credit unions, regulatory reform and much more. While weather impacted Hike the Hill for a second year in a row, there is no doubt those in attendance made a big difference on Capitol Hill.
In addition to meetings with the NCUA and others, LSCU staffers and CU professionals met with Rep. Martha Roby, who took time to discuss issues important to Alabama credit unions.
Five Star auctions Gulf Coast Jam tickets to assist The Harbor
The Gulf Coast Jam is one of the largest outdoor country music concerts of the year. Five Star Credit Union, located in Dothan, AL, was recently given two tickets for the Gulf Coast Jam from a vendor. Five Star opened the tickets up for auction with a different twist. Employees were encouraged to put their names in a drawing for the tickets; valued at $350. To be eligible for the tickets, employees brought in at least one canister of cleaning wipes to be donated to The Harbor mission in Dothan. They were encouraged to bring in multiple canisters for multiple entries. Five Star also matched the donations.
Kallie Cordell from the Dothan main branch, pictured, won the tickets. But more importantly, Five Star donated 100 canisters of cleaning wipes to The Harbor. The Harbor serves people of that are in need of clothes, food, and spiritual guidance. They use cleaning wipes multiple times a day while serving food and holding counseling meetings for those that take part in their services. The Harbor is located across the street from the Five Star main office in downtown Dothan.
Avadian Credit Union 5-Star rated for 41 consecutive quarters
BauerFinancial, Inc., the Nation’s Premier Bank and Credit Union Rating Firm, proudly affirms that Avadian Credit Union, Birmingham, AL, has once again earned its highest (5-Star) rating for financial strength and stability. Earning a 5-Star rating indicates this credit union excels in areas of capital adequacy, profitability, asset quality and much more. Earning and maintaining this top rating for 41 consecutive quarters, puts Avadian Credit Union in an even higher bracket as an “Exceptional Performance Credit Union”. This title is achieved after successfully earning the top 5-Star rating for 40 consecutive quarters (ten years) or longer.
“This achievement requires tremendous resilience and fortitude,” observes Karen Dorway, president of BauerFinancial. “We saw a lot of financial institutions that were lacking those qualities that are, unfortunately, no longer around. But credit unions, like Avadian Credit Union, have some definite advantages. The field of membership allows the credit union team to know each member more intimately and make every member a priority.”
