Bowater Employees Credit Union member Cynthia Lynn, and Bowater CU Member Jim Haney have each won $1,000 from Bowater Credit Union to their favorite non-profits: Blythe Boys and Girls Club and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5146 Athens, respectively.
Bowater CU has asked its members to nominate their favorite non-profit helping people in the counties eligible for credit union membership: Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, and Polk. These are the fourth and fifth winners of 2016.
The donation to Blythe Boys and Girls club will be used for their second annual holiday party. Until the first party in 2016, that club did not have their own holiday party for their registered children, something that each of the other clubs in the Ocoee Region enjoyed. Lynn wrote “I want to show them they matter.” Last year’s party included a luncheon, games, gifts for each family, and even Santa flying in on a helicopter. This donation will be a start to another joyful event for the children of Blythe Boys and Girls club.
Any amount, however small, will make a large difference in the lives of these children. To make your own contribution, contact Melissa Scannapiego, Club Director, at 339-2226.
VFW Post 5146 in Athens “supports the veterans and citizens of McMinn County in a variety of ways,” wrote Haney. “From programs like Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen to providing Christmas Food Baskets to needy veterans and their widows.” They support large community events, such as local sports teams and an Easter Egg hunt, as well as individualized support. “The Post purchased a portable air conditioner for a disabled veteran whose air went out,” said Haney. More recently, the Post provided aid and support in the wake of the terrible tornadoes that came through McMinn County.
The Post is supported not only by member dues, but relies on several fund raising events and donations. To make your own contribution to the VFW and all that they do, call 745-8387.
The Pay It Forward program has been renewed for 2017, and that means any member of Bowater Credit Union can nominate their favorite non-profit for a $1,000 Pay It Forward prize. Five prizes will be given out in 2017, and the deadline to be considered for the first prize is February 28th.
Bowater Credit Union began the Pay It Forward program in 2010 as a way to give back to the community it serves. Since the program’s inception, BECU has given $33,000 to various charities making a difference in our community. For more information, visit the Pay It Forward information on our website, here.
Bowater Employees Credit Union is a federally insured credit union offering savings, checking, loans, and financial education to those who live, work, or go to school in the counties of Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, and Polk. They have five branches, over 18,000 members, and $145 million in assets. To learn more about Bowater Employees Credit Union and its services, call 423-336-7268 or visit www.bowaterecu.org.
If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview please call Kim Gunter at 423-665-1016 or email her at [email protected].
Left to Right: Eddie Watson, VFW; Jim Haney, Credit Union Member; Tiffany Barnes, Bowater Credit Union Athens Branch Manager
Left to Right: Cynthia Lynn, Bowater Credit Union Member; Melissa Scannapiego, Blythe Boys & Girls Club; Crystal Hatcher, Bowater Credit Union LoanZone Manager