SOUTH BAY, LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA (September 12, 2013) -- That’s why South Bay’s members and staff teamed up as summer was winding down to help children in need fill backpacks with new pencils, pens, crayons, paper and other items in the Back-to-School Supply Drive held throughout August at the credit union’s Redondo Beach and Torrance branch offices.
“It’s all part of being in the community,” says Maricela Jauregui, Vice President of Member Relations for South Bay. “We want to interact, engage and build a stronger relationship with our community. Our members like to be able to help out. Everyone knows how hard it is these days for some families to purchase needed school supplies.”
Through email blasts to members, prominent displays in branch lobbies and information on the website, South Bay encouraged members and staff to donate anything from new backpacks, to spiral notebooks, to pens, pencils, colored markers, rulers, scissors and even tissues, sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer to help students minimize those back-to-school colds.
“People like to help,” Jauregui says. “They picked items up when they were shopping for their own kids. They know how important it is for students to have the equipment to learn.”
The donated items collected at the Redondo Beach Branch will be shared with Madison Elementary School in the Redondo Beach Unified School District and the items collected at the Torrance Branch will be shared with Walteria Elementary School in the Torrance Unified School District. The items were delivered Sept. 5, 2013.
“This is what credit unions are about,” says Jennifer Oliver, President/CEO. “One of our seven guiding principles is concern for community and we know a successful community needs successful schools.”
South Bay CU is one of many credit unions teaming up with members and staff to help local schools make the grade. South Bay encouraged staff donations by offering an hour off work for donations worth a set amount.
“We’re already looking forward to next year,” Jauregui says, noting the Back-to-School Supply Drive will be an annual event for South Bay.
About South Bay Credit Union
Established in 1953, South Bay Credit Union is a member-owned not-for-profit financial cooperative proudly serving anyone who lives, regularly works, attends school or worships in the area known as South Bay in Los Angeles County, California with 6,000 members and more than $80 million in assets. As a financial cooperative, South Bay Credit Union brings member-owners together, pooling their financial resources to meet the individual needs of the membership, while providing enough capital to run a strong and efficient operation. South Bay Credit Union is headquartered in Redondo Beach, California and has a branch service center in Torrance. South Bay Credit Union’s vision is to build lifelong financial relationships. Visit South Bay Credit Union’s website at www.sbcu.org for more information.