News & Local Happenings
Snow Day attracts over 5,000 for snow, Santa, petting zoo and more!
GLENDORA, CA-- The perfect weather and Christmas spirit led to over 5,000 people descending upon America's Christian Credit Union for their 7th Annual Snow Day following the Glendora annual hometown Christmas Parade. The event was held on Saturday, December 8th, 2012 in partnership with local radio station Radio Disney AM 1110.
The event was packed with literally hundreds of families enjoying the snow. Children lined up to take free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus as well as with the special credit union kids' account mascot, Buddy Bee. A petting zoo featuring a huge camel attracted many curious visitors. There were pony rides for the more adventurous children. The children built snowmen, had singing contests, and played game after game hosted by the team from Radio Disney – all while enjoying 50 tons of fresh snow. Parents and guests enjoyed shopping at several gift and food vendors selling yummy treats like candy apples, cupcakes, kettle corn and funnel cakes. Lots of hungry people were happy to see the In-N-Out Cookout Trailer serving up burgers as well. Altogether the America's Christian CU Snow Day continues to be a highlight of the Christmas season for everyone in the community.
"What a fun day! I am amazed at how year after year the community celebrates with us at Snow Day. I am grateful to our staff of 85, who did an amazing job hosting this event. We are blessed with the wonderful turnout, the happiness of the kids who attended, and the support shown from our wonderful sponsors as well as the city of Glendora," President/CEO Mendell L. Thompson said.
Check out photos from Snow Day here.
$13,350 to children's miracle network is latest in series of charitable efforts by America's Christian Credit Union
GLENDORA, CA-- Topping off a year of fundraising efforts that were augmented by a generous corporate match from Co-Op Financial Services, America's Christian Credit Union (ACCU) has donated over $13,000 to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. This amount represents the total raised by the credit union's staff through a variety of means in 2012. The credit union has been involved in Children's Miracle Network Hospitals fundraising annually since 1998.
ACCU President/CEO Mendell L. Thompson presented a check for $13,350 to Michael Sandler, Associate Director for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN), who accepted the funds on behalf of Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). ACCU employees raised the funds through payroll deductions, a company match, and numerous fundraisers throughout 2012.
In one of the fundraising ventures last spring, running enthusiast and ACCU Director of Human Resources Richard Mathews completed the SacTown Credit Union 10-mile Run For The Kids at the state Capitol on April 1st, raising $400 in charitable contributions for the Children's Miracle Network. The credit union added the proceeds to its CMN fund, which continues to support the care of sick and injured kids at CHLA.
This run was one of many efforts by ACCU, which places a high priority on outreach and support within the communities they serve. In January of 2012, President/CEO Thompson had presented another large check to Sandler of CHLA, this one for $14,428, representing total funds raised by ACCU and its staff for CMN in 2011.
America's Christian CU participated in a series of events to uplift the community during the 2012 holiday season as well. One such event, which took place during Thanksgiving week, was the Shoes That Fit effort hosted and coordinated by Central City Community Outreach in downtown Los Angeles. ACCU staff raised funds to purchase 55 pairs of shoes that were given out during this event and also sent a team of 15 volunteers to staff it. The event helped serve 1500 people with nearly 1,000 pairs of new shoes, over 500 pairs of used shoes/clothing items, and 370 "Boxes of Love" to families on L.A.'s Skid Row so they could have a special holiday meal with their families.
In December, ACCU staff bought gifts for 35 needy children served by Our Neighborhood Homework House, a non-profit that provides tutoring and extracurricular activities to schoolchildren in the Azusa area. Also during the holiday season, staff participated in a pair of separate outreach events – a Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway and Christmas gift-wrap and distribution ministry -- through a partnership with the Dream Center Los Angeles.
President/CEO Mendell L. Thompson explains, "It is truly our joy to participate in our community with these charity efforts. I appreciate our Board, management and staff for their wholehearted support of fundraising on behalf of those less fortunate. I'm humbled that our stewardship of charitable funds through our various fundraising campaigns can help make a difference in their lives."
$5000 adoption grant program launches
Employees of America's Christian Credit Union adopting a child will now receive a $5000 grant under a new Adoption Grant Program announced today. The announcement was received with overwhelming enthusiasm from employees.
We believe every child deserves a forever family. The cause of adoption is close to the heart of the credit union. In 2009, ACCU began offering adoption loans to families in the process of adoption, covering agency fees, international travel to pick up the child, and other expenses. Over the past three years we have witnessed the growth and need for adoption financing. Through this loan program ACCU has been able to help place over 485 children with their forever families. In the course of working with the families trying to finance their adoption, and learning their individual stories and struggles, the board and leadership felt commissioned to support adoption within the credit union's staff. This $5,000 grant is an additional employee benefit to be made available to any ACCU staff member pursuing adoption towards fees and other expenses. With the cost of adoption currently averaging in the thousands, this grant arrives at a most welcome time.
"We believe deeply in the miracle of adoption as part of the greater story we all celebrate – being adopted into God's family. With this new grant, we want to demonstrate our solid support for our team members that want to extend their love to the orphan," President/CEO Mendell L. Thompson said.
2011 Business of the Year
America's Christian Credit Union was named the 2011 Business of the Year by the Glendora Chamber of Commerce.
The credit union moved to Glendora, California in 2005, and has made it their goal to give back to the community. ACCU has become actively engaged in Glendora community life—from their annual Snow Day that draws thousands to celebrate the Christmas season, the breadth of volunteer work, the semi-annual blood drives, and the support of the local schools, colleges, and universities. After these wonderful years of serving the Glendora community, the 2011 Business of the Year award is tremendous news for the credit union.
President/CEO Mendell L. Thompson had this comment regarding this significant achievement: "I am truly humbled! Our commitment to serve is our top priority each and every day. We don't do this to win awards; we do this because we truly care about our members and the community we serve. To be recognized for our efforts in this manner makes what we do even more special. From all of our staff here, I simply want to say 'thank you' for the privilege to serve and work in the City of Glendora."
