October 16, 2012 - (WICHITA, Kansas) - A group of Kansas credit unions want to live up to the credit union philosophy of “people helping people”…so they are doing just that.
Today, in five communities across Kansas, credit unions will be giving away gift cards or free gas to unsuspecting consumers.
The locations are:
- Ark City
- Emporia
- Topeka
- Wichita
- Winfield
A sixth Make a Difference event was on Saturday in Wamego, KS.
Consumers will receive a gas gift card or up to $25 worth of gas at participating gas stations. Whether you receive a gift card or gas depends on the location. A total of $15,000 will be given away. The events are being held at different times depending on location. The first one began today at 9:00 am in Wichita, KS, and the last one begins at 4:30 pm in Emporia.
It’s part of the Kansas Credit Union Association’s Make a Difference campaign, and coincides with International Credit Union Week, which is this week, October 15-19.
“Credit unions were founded on the idea of people helping people,” said Marla Marsh, President/CEO of the Kansas Credit Union Association. “As not for profit financial cooperatives, credit unions exist to support their members and their local communities.”
Representatives from nine credit unions throughout the state volunteered for the event. Initial reactions from the public have been positive with some asking about accounts and loans at credit unions, and others just saying thanks. Even some hugs have been exchanged.
“We wanted it to be unexpected, like when someone pays your toll on the highway, or pays for your coffee in the drive thru.” said Susan Dyer, Communications Director for KCUA. “It just makes people feel good and makes the day a little bit better.”
More Make a Difference events are being planned for 2013, but no firm details are available.
ABOUT THE KANSAS CREDIT UNION ASSOCIATION
The Kansas Credit Union Association is the trade association for credit unions in Kansas, serving more than 600,000 Kansas consumers. Established in 1934, the Association’s mission remains the same – to assist member credit unions in meeting the needs of their members and potential members to further the success of the credit union movement. Strategies center on this mission: to unify the credit union movement, provide operational assistance to credit unions, promote growth and advocate on behalf of the membership.