Two St. Louis-area credit unions give back to their communities

Published 11.29.21

Check out how two St. Louis-area credit unions and their employees give back to their communities. First Community Credit Union (Chesterfield, MO) donates $9,000 to local charity, contributes to overall $50,000 donation. Arsenal Credit Union (Arnold, MO) employees volunteer for Habitat for Humanity St. Louis.

First Community donates $9,000 to local charity, contributes to overall $50,000 donation

During the month of October, First Community Credit Union partnered with local radio station 105.7 The Point’s #1 morning show, The Rizzuto Show to raise money for Kids Rock Cancer. First Community collaborated with the radio station to co-brand stickers that were sold throughout the month for $1. The money raised from First Community went directly to the charity and was a large portion of the overall donation by the radio station of over $50,000. Alongside the sticker sales, the employees of First Community raised money as well by donating $5 or more to wear jeans on the first Friday of the month.  

“Now more than ever donations like this are needed, and we are lucky to know that the money we have raised will stay right here in the St. Louis area helping local kids during a hard time.” Stated Glenn Barks, President and CEO.  Kids Rock Cancer is a local charity through Maryville University that helps children successfully cope with emotional challenges that accompany a cancer diagnosis. 

 

Arsenal Credit Union employees volunteer for Habitat for Humanity St. Louis

Employees at Arsenal Credit Union recently partnered with KMOV's Home 4 the Holidays campaign to help Habitat for Humanity St. Louis build a home for a deserving family. On Nov. 11, a day the credit union was closed in observance of Veterans Day, eight Arsenal employees rolled up their sleeves and helped construction efforts on the project.

“We have a lot of big-hearted people who work at Arsenal. They’re always looking for ways to help others and are eager to do it any way they can,” said Ken Moser, vice president of marketing at Arsenal who served as group leader for the credit union’s build team. “We’ve never done an effort of this magnitude, and it’s been a rewarding experience. We’re happy to be a part of it.”

In addition to providing volunteer hours, the credit union made a $5,000 donation to the organization. 

“We make a lot of charitable contributions throughout the year, but this one allowed us to work with our hands, too, and see the whole build of a new home and see it come to fruition,” noted Lori Crutchley, executive vice president at Arsenal. “We’re all about helping the community, and this is just another way for us to give back.”

Some of the tasks Arsenal employees performed included cutting and installing siding, preparing floors and cutting vinyl planks for installation and painting exterior pieces of the house.

The homebuyer, Kenneth T., was given the keys during a dedication ceremony on Nov. 22

With more than 355 homes built or rehabbed, Habitat for Humanity St. Louis is one of the largest housing developers in all of St. Louis. The organization provides homebuyers who would otherwise not have the opportunity to do so access to an affordable mortgage. This allows buyers to build their assets and cycle the wealth created by the home to their families and communities for generations.