EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon Community Credit Union is marking its 70th anniversary with a summer-long giving campaign that includes volunteer projects, school support, community events and a pledge to donate up to $10,000 based on stories submitted by members.
OCCU said its “70 Days of Giving” campaign is being led by branches across Oregon, with employees, members and community partners participating in locally organized service and giving projects.
The credit union was founded in 1956 as U-Lane-O Credit Union. OCCU said the anniversary campaign is intended to reflect the cooperative philosophy on which the organization was founded.
Branches Take Giving Into Communities
Rather than organizing a single anniversary event, OCCU said individual branches have developed activities tailored to their communities.
The projects range from sponsorships and volunteer activities to efforts supporting students and older adults.
Among the initiatives:
- In Bend, OCCU served as title sponsor of a Bend Elks baseball game, with volunteers distributing tickets to members and helping organize a raffle benefiting The Giving Plate.
- In Springfield, employees are organizing a “70 School Supply Kits” project to provide free school supplies to local students and families.
- In September, employees from OCCU’s Coburg branch are scheduled to play baseball with residents of The Archer at Crescent Park retirement community.
- At another branch, members were invited to create their own floral bouquets as part of an in-branch community event.
Other locations have decorated branches and provided snacks and drinks to members as part of the anniversary celebration, according to OCCU.
Member Stories Could Generate $10,000 Donation
OCCU also is asking members to share stories about how the credit union has affected their lives.
For every story submitted online or in person, OCCU said it will donate $1 to the OCCU Foundation, up to a total of $10,000.
The foundation supports organizations and programs focused on health, education and basic needs in communities served by the credit union.
OCCU said the stories also will help inform its future community-giving efforts.
The 70 Days of Giving campaign began in June and will continue into the fall.
OCCU said the initiative is designed to connect its 70-year history with the credit union movement’s longstanding “people helping people” philosophy, while giving individual branches flexibility to determine how best to support their local communities.
