Community Involvement Archives - America First Newsroom

Join Us for the 2023 Souper Bowl of Caring

Child poverty and hunger are reaching alarming levels in Utah where 1 in 9 kids face the pain and anxiety of hunger. When these children are focused on worrying about where their next meal will come from, it’s hard for them to focus on much else in school, which affects all our children.

America First Credit Union is proud to continue to partner with KUTV’s Souper Bowl of Caring. The Souper Bowl of Caring is a national organization that partners with local hunger relief charities to fight against childhood hunger. For just $5, you can ease the burden and allow children to focus on the things they should be focused on — learning and fun. The Souper Bowl of Caring is a great way to help.

The local chapter of this organization works with as many community food pantries as possible throughout the state of Utah. One hundred percent of the donations received will support a variety of programs focused on childhood hunger in the state of Utah, including those offered by schools, the Utah Food Bank, and other community charities and service providers across the state.

America First has also partnered with Souper Bowl of Caring in Las Vegas, and Reno. Wherever you live, or would like to support, many children’s lives will be blessed from your generous donations.

As part of our partnership, we help collect monetary donations both online, over the phone and at our branches until Saturday, February 12. There are multiple ways to make your contribution:

Credit card – Click here and fill out our secure online form
In person – Make a deposit at a branch to account number 5504816 (last name: Donate)
Tune in and donate! Tune in to KUTV on Wednesday, February 1st from 6 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. and call 1-877-908-0680 to donate over the phone.

To learn more about this wonderful organization and their efforts, visit souperbowl.org.

America First Charitable Foundation plays important role at Davis School District Teen Center

*Jordan Gibson, Mady Dawson (left) & Kloe Bartruff (right) help package & organize hygiene kits at DSD Teen Center in Clearfield, UT*

America First Charitable Foundation volunteers spent the morning of July 1 sorting items, packaging hygiene kits and organizing them for distribution at the Davis School District Teen Center.

It’s part of the program known as The Greater Good, which looks for opportunities to enrich the lives of those in neighboring communities.

America First’s Events Planning and Management Coordinator, McKaylie Richins was ecstatic about the turnout and how productive the event was. “I am so glad we were able to organize items at the DSD Teen Center Warehouse to aid the homeless teens in Davis School District,” she said. “I encourage everyone to either volunteer with them or donate items. All too often we take for granted what we have, and I am grateful we got to volunteer and be a small part of this program.”

More than 1,300 teens in Davis County are classified as homeless and go without the basic daily items necessary to help them succeed, while 16,000 kids in the district are financially insecure. The teen center gives them as safe place to shower, do laundry and access resources.

Teen Center Warehouse Manager, Ginger Coulam, was overjoyed about the impact of the project: “We can’t thank America First enough for their time and effort organizing hygiene kits at the foundation warehouse. Having hygiene kits available truly makes a difference in the day-to-day lives of our students in need. Many of these kids lack access to the most basic of essentials that we so often take for granted. The extra hands and smiles made a world of difference. What would normally take us days of work, they got done in just a few hours.”

The Davis Education Foundation continues to be valuable to so many kids in need. They recently raised more than $86,000 at their annual fundraising gala sponsored by America First Credit Union at the Megaplex Movie Theatres in Centerville, Utah.

“We’re so grateful for the help and community partnership of America First.” Ginger said.

The Davis Education Foundation started in 1982 and has helped 72,000 students, 8,000 teachers and 90 schools. Anyone wanting to be involved in helping with the Teen Center or the Davis Education Foundation should contact Ginger Coulam at GCoulam@dsdmail.net.

Volunteer Service Opportunities

According to America First bylaws, three members will be elected to three-year
terms on our Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting on April 19, 2022.
Incumbent volunteers are Barney Chapman and Kenlon Reeve.

Those interested in becoming Directors must have membership in good
standing, be 18 years or older, bondable, free from conflicts of interest, and
available for meetings. Apply at americafirst.com/volunteers and include a
statement of qualification (limited to 150 words) by 5 p.m. on January 8, 2022.

Nominations by petition are accepted and must be signed by at least 500
members. Qualification statements with 150-word limits, biographical data,
and signed certificates stating they are agreeable to nomination and will serve
if elected are required. Such petitions must be received by 5 p.m. on February
28, 2022. Balloting will not be conducted if there is one nominee for each open
position. Nominations from the floor are not accepted.

The America First Charitable Foundation Scholarship

This year, we are giving away 10 scholarships worth $1000 each. In order to be eligible, members must be graduating high school seniors or undergraduate students currently enrolled in a two-year, four-year or technical college or university, and have a passion for serving and helping others.

The America First Charitable Foundation is looking for candidates who embody the people-helping-people philosophy. Those who play an active role in giving back to their community, whether through volunteering or other meaningful contributions of time, effort, and care. If this describes you, we encourage you to apply.

Applicants are required to submit their hours of community service, grade point average, and current transcript. They must also submit a short essay on how their community service exemplifies the credit union philosophy of people helping people.

Applications are due April 30^th. Here is the link to scholarship applications

https://apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/auth/signup

Join Us for the Souper Bowl of Caring

America First is proud to be a partner of KUTV’s Souper Bowl of Caring. The Souper Bowl of Caring is a national organization that partners with local hunger relief charities to fight against childhood hunger.

The local chapter of this organization works with as many community food pantries as possible throughout the state of Utah. 100% of the monetary and food donations are passed along directly to these community charities.

As part of our partnership, we help collect monetary donations both online, over the phone and at our branches until Saturday, February 27. There are multiple ways to make your contribution:

Credit card – Click here and fill out our secure online form
In person – Make a deposit at a branch to account number 5504816 (last name: Donate)
Mobile – Send a text to 855-719-2328 to receive further instructions
Venmo – Transfer funds to @SouperBowlofCaringUT

To learn more about this wonderful organization and their efforts, visit souperbowl.org.

Volunteers Dedicated to Serving Members

In accordance with America First bylaws, the Board of Directors Nominations Committee has identified four members who will stand for election by acclamation at the credit union’s Annual Meeting on April 21, 2020.

After thorough interviews and qualification screenings, the incumbent Board candidates are:

Linda K. Carver
David M. McKonkie
Gil A. Miller
James G. Wendler

Please join us in congratulating these volunteers, who selflessly give of their time, talent, expertise and experience to enhance the financial well-being of America First members.

America First Credit Union Donates $25,000 to Local Non-Profits

Riverdale, UT – November 26, 2019 – As part of its mission to enhance and improve local communities, America First Credit Union (AFCU) donated $25,000 to local nonprofits operating throughout Utah. The nonprofits included Operation Underground Railroad, Ogden Bicycle Collective and performing arts nonprofit, 90&9. In addition to a monetary donation, AFCU also donated 40 bikes, built by AFCU staff, to Ogden Bicycle Collective.

“All of these organizations have made a significant impact on our community here in Utah,” said Nicole Cypers, VP of Public Relations. “We are always looking for ways to improve the communities we live and work in, and these organizations work tirelessly to do just that.”

All three organizations have plans to put the donated funds to great use and make an impact within the community.

Operation Underground Railroad has slated the donation to be used to help its efforts to combat trafficking in Utah with the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force—a three-year relationship which resulted in 261 rescues and 197 arrests.
90&9 will be using the $10,000 donation to host workshops for kids in treatment centers as well as youth in refugee camps. They’ll also be hosting workshops to prepare for its show “Fighter,” which will begin in March.
Ogden Bicycle Collective will use the donated bikes for their holiday bike giveaway. The money donated will be used to purchase bike parts and tools as well as bikes for adults to use to as transportation to and from work.

“Thanks to America First’s generosity, we are able to make our show, ‘Fighter,’ possible again,” said Darla Day, from 90&9. “Fighter,” a show written by Day and her husband, is a story of a phoenix rising from the ashes which helps facilitate conversations about mental health, depression and suicide in a hopeful way.

“There is power in the arts,” said Day. “Being able to express anger, depression, hurt and other heavy emotions through art is empowering. We’re trying to show kids there are healthy ways to deal with their anxieties and hardships, and it’s working. We can’t even begin to express our gratitude toward America First for their kindness and support in what we are trying to do for these kids.”

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ABOUT AMERICA FIRST CREDIT UNION

Proudly celebrating 80 years of servicing members and a long-standing history, America First has become one of the largest, most stable and most progressive credit unions in the country, and has remained a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative financial institution. Today, America First has 130 locations, and is the 9th largest credit union in assets in the United States with over $11.5 billion, and the sixth largest credit union in membership in America with more than 1,062,000 members.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Nicole Cypers
America First Credit Union
801.827.8655
ncypers@americafirst.com

Kelsey Richardson
R&R Partners
801.913.9454
Kelsey.richardson@rrpartners.com

America First Credit Union Gifts More Than 1,800 Pairs of Shoes to Underprivileged Students Throughout Utah and Nevada

Riverdale, Utah – (Dec. 19, 2018) – As part of its annual Warm the Soles of Kids initiative (Warm the Soles), America First Credit Union distributed more than 1,800 pairs of gift-wrapped shoes to children in need throughout the month of December. This year, 24 schools and agencies spanning across Utah and Southern Nevada took part in the project.

America First employees visited several schools in December including Midvale Elementary, Dixie Sun Elementary, Lakeview Elementary, Hurricane Elementary, Red Rock Elementary, Gibson Middle School and Hill Air Force Base to hand out shoes and host a festive holiday celebration.

Celebrating its 24^th year, the Warm the Soles project is funded by America First member donations and the Skip a Payment program. America First works to raise funds and donations from members throughout November and December to purchase shoes for children in need during the holiday season. The project is coordinated through the America First Credit Union Charitable Foundation.

For additional information, visit www.americafirst.com or find America First Credit Union on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

Photo attached: America First Credit Union employees and volunteers deliver new, gift-wrapped shoes to underprivileged children during the annual Warm the Soles event.

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ABOUT AMERICA FIRST CREDIT UNION

With a long-standing history and more than 79 years servicing members, America First has become one of the largest, most stable and most progressive credit unions in the country, and has remained a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative financial institution. Today, America First has 129 locations, and is the 10th largest credit union in assets in the United States with over $10.2 billion, and the sixth largest credit union in membership in America with more than 988,000 members.

America First Credit Union Launches 12th Annual Community Food Drive to Serve Those in Need

Riverdale, Utah â€“ (Sept. 12, 2016) â€“

Dedicated to helping the underprivileged in the communities it services, Utahâ€™s largest credit union, America First Credit Union today revs up its giving to serve others with the launch of its 12^th Annual Community Food Drive, which runs through Saturday, Oct. 22. All locations throughout Utah and Southern Nevada will be accepting donations of non-perishable food items to distribute to local food pantries and food banks.

In addition to the food drive, the community-focused credit union will donate $5,000 in turkeys to Utah Food Bank in preparation for the holiday season. All collected items will be donated to the Utah Food Bank, Three Square Las Vegas, and Cappallappa Family Reserve Center.

â€œThe season of giving is upon us and America First has made this annual food drive a priority as we continue our efforts to serve others, not just during the holidays, but all year long,â€ said John Lund, President and CEO of America First. â€œThe need for food in our communities is strong and once again we look for help from the community, employees and members to give what they can in both Utah and Southern Nevada as we lead into the holiday months.â€

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America First Strolls in Support of 10th Anniversary of West Haven Elementary Cancer Walk

-Joined by the Utah Jazz dancers and Jazz Bear, the credit union encourages community and public to help meet $10,000 goal for 10^th annual event May 20-

Riverdale, Utah – America First Credit Union will once again join in the cause to raise monies for the American Cancer Society alongside West Haven Elementary School during its 10th Annual Hawk Walk 7 a.m., Friday, May 20. Hosted by West Haven students, the mini Relay-for-Life raises funds for the American Cancer Society. Since its inception in 2007, the Hawk Walk has raised more than $47,000 for the American Cancer Society. As part of the decade-long celebratory milestone, West Haven students and teachers have embarked on a goal to raise $10,000 to donate to the cancer society.

In support of West Haven’s goal, America First will donate cookies, bottled water, a live DJ and $5 for every student walking from 7 to 8 a.m. The America First Credit Union Utah Jazz dancers and the Utah Jazz mascot, Jazz Bear will be in attendance to cheer on the walkers.

The annual event held in May is designed to encourage students and individuals to learn the principle of generosity. West Haven Elementary has continued to support the Hawk Walk by implementing donation programs across campus. Once a month, the school encourages students to participate in ‘wear a hat’ to school day, which allows them to get involved by donating $1 to the cause. Delivery and district workers are also invited to participate by donating $1 if they are wearing a hat on campus. So far this school year, West Haven has generated a total of $3,230 through this effort. The school did donate $1,030 of the money raised to the family of a student at the school who has cancer.