On Saturday, Sept. 21, Affinity Plus branches and departments participated in “Plus It Forward Day,” and made positive impacts in their community through various projects
ST. PAUL, MN (October 3, 2013) -- Sitting on the desk of every Affinity Plus employee is a sign with the credit union’s “Why We Exist” statement that reads, “Affinity Plus – where a group of thoughtful, inspired people are committed to changing the world, one person at a time.” While it’s easy to display a sign and tell people about it, Affinity Plus wants their members and people in communities across the state to do more than hear their difference – they want people to experience it.
Recently, the credit union hosted an organization-wide “Plus It Forward Day” on Saturday, Sept. 21, to introduce their Plus It Forward initiative which is designed to inspire people to perform intentional acts of kindness. Affinity Plus branches and departments that participated in the day went out into their communities to positively impact the lives of others.
“The Plus it Forward program was created to spread intentional acts of kindness, and we were honored to witness the results of members, employees, and people in the community who joined together on Sept. 21,” states Dave Larson, interim President and CEO. “Honestly, I was nothing short of amazed when I learned that we had hundreds of people participate in ‘Plus It Forward Day,’ who were able to impact people’s lives in so many different ways.”
In communities across the state, the impact resulting from the efforts of volunteers on “Plus It Forward Day” was remarkable, and included:
- Preparing five cars for the Douglas County Car Care Program in Alexandria to give to those in need.
- Providing services such as painting, staining, and cleaning to members and organizations that need assistance in Bemidji.
- Painting the exterior and building a fence for the Crow Wing County Food Co-Op in Brainerd.
- Raising more than $400 for Family Pathways in Cambridge by jailing LeAnne Larson, Branch Manager, and collecting donations for the organization so that she could meet bail, and partnering with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive in which 27 pints of blood were donated.
- Inspiring people in Coon Rapids to scatter kindness with ideas provided on a handout, distributing balloons and flowers to children and families, and through partnership with Avant Garden coffee shop, raising $500 for the Wounded Warrior Project in Anoka County.
- Cleaning up Chester Creek, and preparing and serving a meal at the Damiano Center in Duluth.
- Decorating bird houses for Dakota Woodlands’ Silent Auction in Eagan, and raising more than $600 in donations for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
- Taking 25 “Littles” fishing who are in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program in Faribault.
- Building and planting a new Peace Community Garden in Faribault.
- Raising $1,000 to bring back 4th of July fireworks in Fergus Falls.
- Helping fundraise more than $22,000 to rebuild Maplewood Park in Grand Rapids, and coordinating more than 150 volunteers to help rebuild the park.
- Cleaning up Roadside, Pioneer, Wilson, Lions, and Crestview Park in Hastings.
- Raising more than $375 for 360 Communities by hosting a car wash in Lakeville.
- Delivering healthy, home cooked meals to people living with life threatening illnesses through Open Arms of Minnesota in Minneapolis.
- Hosting a car wash and raising more than $160 for Churches United for the Homeless in Moorhead, and working at the organization’s donation intake center.
- Creating a Volunteer Ambassador program and having more 75 participants volunteer and perform random acts of kindness in Rochester.
- Working with volunteers from Northeast Youth and Family Service to provide volunteer services for senior citizens in Roseville.
- Volunteering at Anna Marie’s Alliance 5K, and beautifying walking paths at the Central Minnesota Sustainability Project’s 20,000 square foot garden in St. Cloud.
- Giving away more than 200 free hugs, bringing Plus It Forward goodie bags to 200 college students, and cleaning up Lake Park in Winona.
- Cleaning up Hidden Falls park in St. Paul, and preparing and serving breakfast to patients and their families at the Ronald McDonald Houses located at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota St. Paul and Minneapolis’ campuses.
- Hosting an adoption and fundraising event in St. Paul for animal shelters and rescues in the metro area.
- Providing shoppers at the St. Paul Farmers’ market with reusable bags and assistance carrying groceries to their car.
- Bringing treats and giving thanks to the everyday heroes in the metro area by visiting the National Guard Base, fire departments, police stations, Salvation Army, and the American Red Cross. Delivering care packages to the Union Gospel Mission, Dorothy Day Center, Gillette Children’s, and Regions Hospital.
- Washing cars and handing out car care packages in the metro area.
“We’ve never done anything on an organizational scale quite like ‘Plus It Forward Day,’ so we weren’t sure what the impact would be, but it really exceeded any expectations we could have imagined,’” states Jon Stock, Moorhead Branch Manager and one of the leaders who spearheaded the initiative. “Thank you to our members, volunteers, employees, and communities for allowing us to go out and make a difference in people’s lives.”
In the near future, Affinity Plus will be launching the Plus It Forward Web site on which all people can share their stories about giving or receiving acts of kindness.
If you’re interested in learning more about Plus It Forward, and to learn how you can get involved, contact Affinity Plus at (800) 322-7228 or affinityplus@affinityplus.org.
About Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit cooperative that puts people first above profits. We are committed to empowering consumers – for knowledge, for understanding and to know there are alternatives that focus on the success of people, not the bottom line. Members of Affinity Plus receive maximum value through competitive rates, minimal fees, and unique, member –centric products and programs. Affinity Plus is the largest credit union in Minnesota with state-based assets and has 27 branches located throughout the state. With more than $1.6 billion in assets, Affinity Plus is based in St. Paul and is owned by more than 170,000 members. Through a broad range of eligibility criteria, almost anyone can become a member of Affinity Plus. Additional information is available at www.affinityplus.org or by calling 800-322-7228.