MANCHESTER, N.H.–In the lead-up to Labor Day, America’s Credit Union Museum said it is calling on credit union leaders, members, and supporters to join “A Labor of Love: A Day of Giving,” on Aug. 27 to “honor the everyday people who built the credit union movement from the ground up.”
“From mill workers and farmers, to teachers and shopkeepers, the credit union movement was born from a powerful idea: that financial institutions should serve people, not profit,” the museum stated.
According to the museum, which is located in the house that was home to America’s first credit union—St. Mary’s Bank–this year’s giving day celebrates that legacy and lays the groundwork for the museum’s newest permanent exhibit: “Woven in History: A Tapestry of Unsung Heroes.”
That exhibit will open in September.
“The Unsung Heroes exhibit will honor the lesser-known contributors whose work has often gone unrecognized, but who were essential to the growth and success of credit unions nationwide,” the museum said. “Through first-person accounts, photographs, historic artifacts, and interactive digital elements, the installation will preserve and share their legacies for generations to come.”
A Living Exhibit Built by the Community
According to the museum, what sets the exhibit apart is its participatory nature.
“Unsung Heroes will grow through the generosity and stories of donors. Each contribution supports the inclusion of a personal story, submitted by individuals or credit unions, into the digital exhibit,” the Museum said. “Stories will be added on a rotating basis, ensuring a continually evolving, inclusive portrait of the movement’s unsung champions.”
‘Vital First Step’
The museum said the Day of Giving on August 27 is a “vital first step” in building this exhibit. Funds raised will support the creation of the digital platform, the production and curation of story content, and nationwide outreach to gather stories that might otherwise be lost to history, according to the museum.
The goal is to raise $25,000.
‘Help Us Tell Their Stories’
“We know the credit union movement was shaped not just by its pioneers, but by thousands of everyday people whose passion and purpose brought financial access to their communities,” Stephanie Smith, executive director of America’s Credit Union Museum, said in a statement. “Unsung Heroes is about honoring those people and the Labor of Love campaign will help us tell their stories.”
The museum said donations of $100 or more are eligible for a name or tribute on the Faces of the Movement digital wall. All donors will be listed on its Giving Day Honor Roll and receive a digital badge.
Additional Info
Organizations can also sponsor a matching gift, promote the campaign, or share a founding story
For info, go here.
