Every month,America First Credit Union teams up with The Morning Blend to give back to someone making a difference in the community! Today, we meet May’s winner, and learn about a new initiative starting at America First!
This Segment is Sponsored By: America First Credit Union
Financial institution gives members a voice to shape the “branch of the future,” and the future of banking
RIVERDALE, Utah – America First Credit Union, a leading member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative financial institution, will launch its newest venture, the America First Credit Union Innovation Center, located in the center of City Creek Center in Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah next month. The America First Innovation Center will not serve as a traditional branch, but a collaborative hub to showcase the latest innovative solutions and give members and consumers a greater voice in shaping how they want to be served in the future. America First will test multiple channel experiences to gain real-time feedback and use this insight to implement experience enhancements across its member base and within its 116 branch locations.
Opening the Innovation Center in the City Creek Center is a strategic effort as City Creek welcomes visitors from all over the state and surrounding areas. This will allow America First to gain a wide range of collaboration and further enhance ongoing experiences.
“This is a very exciting time for America First with the launch of our first ever Innovation Center,” said America First Credit Union President and CEO, John B. Lund. “We have maintained our position to bring relevant innovation to our members and provide the best experience possible. This continues to propel us forward as a leader in this space.”
Nomination letter sent in by Felicia McClure:
I would like to nominate Karl Winsness for a High 5 award, because Karl has started a scholarship for children who have parents that are incarcerated, or who are habitually incarcerated.
The scholarship has been mostly funded by Karl himself, he reaches out to get donations, but usually doesn’t have much luck.
Karl says children are the forgotten victims of crime. When their parents get locked up who do they have, usually no one. And they end up following in the same foot steps as their parents. This scholarship gives children the chance to do something different.
It is not based on grades, the children write an essay on how their parents have affected them and submit the essay.
The Community Foundation of Utah handles all the money for the scholarship.
He has been doing this for over three years and has awarded at least two scholarships, I believe each year. ( I’m not exactly sure how many he has awarded)
Karl is an ex-convict himself and while incarcerated he decided to do something to help when he got out. This is how Willy the Plumber Scholarship was created.
This Segment is Sponsored By: America First Credit Union
Work the perks and get the most out of your local credit union membership.
Nicole Cypers shares several discounts available through America First Credit Union.
Carter Lee Lopez was born four months early in December, at only 24 weeks. He weighed just 2 pounds, before scarily dropping down to 1 pound, 11 ounces after his kidneys shut down.
“I was told that he might not survive,” mom Breanna Lopez recalls. “That was the scariest day of my life, the thought of my son not surviving a day to see the love this world would bring him.”
Amazingly, Carter did survive. But a long journey lay ahead for both the tiny little boy and his parents Breanna and husband Robert, a military pilot—and it got even worse in February, when their car broke down and they weren’t able to secure a loan to buy a new one.
So they’ve been relying on on the kindness of family and friends for rides to see their son in the NICU ever since.
Just imagine, for a second, the heartbreak of not being able to see your child when you wanted to. Of having to turn to others every time you wanted to just be able to stand next to his incubator or touch his teeny, tiny hand. It’s an agonizing circumstance—one no parent should ever find themselves faced with.
Which is why the Fox 5 Surprise Squad teamed up with Nissan and America First Credit Union for an amazing undercover mission to help bring some light into the lives of this beautiful, struggling family.
As a Lopez family friend named Jody drove the Breanna and Robert to the hospital to visit Carter reporter Cassandra Jones sat shotgun, pretending to be girl named Sara. Breanna shared the family’s gut-wrenching story with her during the ride.
“You don’t think it’s going to happen to you,” she told Sara. “And then it does.”
When the car finally pulled up to the hospital and the Lopez’ got out, it was clear the couple had no idea their lives were about to change. But then “Sara” suddenly jumped out and followed Breanna and Robert into the lobby with a microphone. “I’m actually Cassandra Jones with the Fox 5 Surprise Squad,” she told them excitedly.
Before Jones could even get another word out, both parents immediately burst into tears (confession: so did I). “We are all very all touched by your story,” Jones told them, sounding more than a little choked up herself. “We know you guys have been through a lot and we have something for you.”
The reporter then led the couple back outside… and up pulls a brand new 2015 Nissan Sentra, complete with a big red bow!
So. Amazing! And a huge game changer for Breanna and Robert. “Just to have people who support us, who care this much, it really means the world,” Robert said.
“I was scared of not having anything to take him home in, or to his appointments or anything,” Breanna explained through tears. “And now we have it all. We have everything.”
After 133 long days, Carter finally came home, and the whole family appeared on Fox 5 this morning to share their story of love and strength. They also got one more unexpected surprise from FOX5’s parent company Meredith Corp (who also own Parents.com)—$1,000 to cover the cost of diapers!
Watch the video of this amazing story—believe me, you won’t want to miss it.
-Joined by the Utah Jazz dancers and Jazz Bear, the credit union encourages community and public to help meet $10,000 goal for 10th 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.
By John B. Lund, President and Chief Executive Officer
For 77 years, America First members have voted to elect a volunteer Board of Directors to provide strategic and philosophical guidance that ensures our credit union’s safety, soundness, and ongoing ability to deliver financial value.
This democratic exercise takes place at our annual meeting, which was held April 19, 2016 in Ogden, Utah. Joining us were local officials, credit union & industry representatives, and community stakeholders.
Lyle Adams, Chair of the Board Elections Committee, oversaw the balloting, during which America First Directors Barney Chapman, Kenlon Reeve, and Michael Roden were elected to serve three-year terms.
The Board subsequently chose their leadership, with James Wendler taking the role of Chairman, Linda Carver being named Vice Chair, and Mr. Reeve filling the position of Secretary.
Our Board members give tremendously of their time and talents, serving without compensation, to benefit the organization. They are truly dedicated to improving the economic health of each and every member we are fortunate to have.
I would also like to express my gratitude to our volunteers on the Loan Review and Supervisory Committees. The Loan Review Committee meets with members who were initially denied financing. They work to resolve adverse credit situations and find solutions to challenges. The Supervisory Committee works with internal and external examiners to provide fiscal & regulatory review.
Now is a great time to get your cyber security in top shape. And we have a quick and easy workout to help protect you against these constant threats.
· Create complicated passwords using numeral-letter combinations, as well as special characters for each of the social media platforms you use. Having one uniform code is an open invitation to criminals.
· Don’t leave your passwords short and related to your personal information, such as your pet’s name, birthdays, etc. People seeking to defraud you commonly use search engines to discover all kinds of things about you.
· Remember to change your passwords routinely, at least once a year. It may take a little of your time, but not becoming a victim of identity theft is worth it.
· Tighten the security settings on all of your programs. Most channels occasionally change their privacy options or add options without letting you know.
· And be sure to visit us here to see how we’re working to safeguard your resources.
Every month, The Morning Blend joins forces with America First Credit Union to recognize the best in our community with the Give Back award. We talk to this month’s winner and learn more about how America First can help you do some Spring financial cleaning.
This Segment is Sponsored By: America First Credit Union
Riverdale, Utah – America First Credit Union held its 77th Annual Meeting on Tuesday, April 19, 2016. On the agenda was a board election and voting for new credit union board officers. Members voted to retain 3 current board members. Board incumbents Barney Chapman, Kenlon Reeve and Michael Roden were retained by the voting membership. James Wendler will continue to serve as Board Chair, with Linda Carver as Vice Chair and Kenlon Reeve as Secretary.
Held in April of each year, the purpose of the Annual Meeting is to share the financial state of the credit union and give members the opportunity to determine the course of action by electing fellow members to serve on the Board of Directors. The dedicated and qualified individuals share their time, talents and efforts without compensation, making them part of the unique cooperative, not-for-profit structure. Incumbents were elected to the Board based on absentee ballots and votes from those in attendance joining fellow Board members as the credit union’s guiding voice.
The annual event was once again streamed live via the credit union’s Twitter account for added engagement and conversations online. Giveaways were held via Twitter to award those tuning in that were unable to make the meeting in person.
For more information, visit www.americafirst.com, America First Credit Union on Facebook, Twitter, @AmericaFirst on Instagram and Pinterest.
