Rapid City, SD (April 9, 2025) |
Community is at the heart of everything Black Hills Federal Credit Union (BHFCU) does. Their Community Action Team allows employees to connect with nonprofit organizations, giving back to their communities in the ways they need. This year, the credit union is consolidating its efforts by focusing on quarterly giving to make a bigger difference.
To avoid burying the lead, employee engagement far exceeded expectations. Here’s a glimpse of the incredible impact they had in Q1.
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- 11 nonprofit organizations supported
- 108 tie blankets made
- 2,019 items collected
- $15,500 donated to nonprofits (employee donations matched by BHFCU!)
Read on to learn more about the who, how, and what.
The year began by asking employees what organizations they wanted to support. No sooner, themes emerged. Organizations dedicated to supporting the unhoused, victims of domestic violence, and veterans share the common theme of needing essential goods. Conversations with these organizations led to a focused ask for 11 basic items. And so, Operation Hope was born.
Employees nominated eleven nonprofits spanning Billings, Custer, Hot Springs, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Spearfish, and Sturgis, including Artemis House, the Compass Center, Cornerstone Rescue Mission, Missouri Shores Domestic Violence Center, the St. Francis House, Tumbleweed, WAVI, WEAVE, and the Sioux Falls, Hot Springs, and Sturgis VAs. These organizations assist those who have served the country, others who have fallen on hard times, and some who are rebuilding their lives. The drive is a small thank you for the critical work they do day in and day out.
To boost employee engagement, the credit union challenged departments to collect at least one item for each team member. In return, they’d have the chance at a lunch party courtesy of the credit union. This sparked epic internal battles, with the Contact Center and ITM department collecting over 450 items in their quest to outdo each other. In total, 22 departments comprised of 172 team members collected 1,390 items, showcasing the power of unity in community efforts.
In addition, in February, while all 400 BHFCU employees were in one room, they took the opportunity to craft over 100 fleece tie blankets. There’s nothing better than snuggling under a warm throw, especially one of your own. These blankets made their way to five of the nonprofit organizations benefiting from Q1 giving!BHFCU supports its communities in a variety of ways, including sponsorships, employee fundraisers, and donations from members and community supporters to the Black Hills FCU Charitable Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
