PINEVILLE, La.–As the CU Daily will be detailing this week, credit unions across the country have engaged in all sorts of holidays-related good deeds, but it appears the Spirit of Christmas may have played a part in helping Pelican Credit Union make it it a very special holiday for one family as it awarded them with a fitting gift.
As part of its rebranding, the $819-million Pelican CU held a month-long contest offering as a prize a brand new 2025 Honda CR-V.
“There is a lot of bad news in the world, and Pelican is consistently planning initiatives like this to instill hope and positivity,” Chief Growth Officer Leigh Porta said in a statement. “The gift of a brand-new reliable vehicle can truly uplift a family, and we wanted to show our members appreciation by providing a life-changing prize during tough economic times.”
In this case, for the winner the gift truly was uplifting.
Nearly 12,000 Entries
Pelican reported it attracted nearly 12,000 member entries, which was open to all members. The winner—Terrance Beauregard—was announced from the credit union’s Pineville, La. branch, with Pelican CU saying its branch staff was eagerly prepared for the celebration. But when the appointment time scheduled for the lucky member to arrive passed with no sign of Beauregard.
The credit union said that after more than an hour of unanswered calls, “disappointment settled in.”
“Just as soon as we were about to give up, Terrance answered the phone,” Porta said in a statement. In an extraordinary coincidence, Porta explained, “He said he had been struggling to jump his car so he could take his wife to work.”
In response, Pelican CU said its staff “sprang into action, bringing the winner to the branch and ensuring his wife made it to work.”
When Beauregard arrived, he was greeted with applause and confetti.
‘The Heart of Pelican’
“This car giveaway was a perfect example of the heart of Pelican,” CEO Jeff Conrad said in a statement. “We had no idea what Terrance and his wife were going through, but in the end, they were the perfect couple to win the car at an ideal time in their life.”
Beauregard joined Pelican Credit Union in July 2025 at the recommendation of his wife, who is a proud, longtime member.
“The car giveaway is part of our #PelicanPays initiative, where we capture the generous spirit of the credit union and pay it forward in our communities,” Porta said in a statement. “Our team is proud to work here, and our members are proud to belong here. One of our core values is ownership, and these good deeds strengthen that pride for employees and members.”
Other Acts of Kindness
According to Pelican Credit Union, #PelicanPays began with a few small acts of kindness—a gas giveaway here, a free lunch there—and “has taken on a life of its own. In 2025, Pelican hosted two community giveaways, partnering with local grocery stores to distribute $50 worth of groceries to shoppers. The credit union also offered a special opportunity over the summer, paying up to $10,000 of personal debts for winning members.”
