Michigan City credit union wins national community service award
March 20, 2006

Debbie Cavanaugh (right), the marketing director at La-Porter FCU, represented the credit union in Washington, D.C. where she accepted the award from Diana Roberts (left), chairman of the awards committee for the Credit Union National Association. Cavanaugh coordinated the credit union’s efforts to bring in more than $10,000 worth of food for the Salvation Army’s food pantry.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—La-Porter Federal Credit Union (FCU) of Michigan City has won a first place award in the national competition for the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Recognition Award Program for credit unions.

This awards program, sponsored by the Indiana Credit Union League and the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) honors credit unions for their involvement in community projects and activities. Credit unions of all sizes, from across the country, were honored at a reception in Washington, D.C. recently. La-Porter FCU won first place in the category for credit unions with assets of $50-100 million.

The credit union's program was titled “Stuff a Bus.” It supported the Salvation Army’s effort to stock its food pantry for the 500 families it serves each month. This credit union worked to stuff a school bus—full of food! By cooperating with an area grocery store, La-Porter encouraged shoppers to purchase items for the Salvation Army’s food pantry as well as meat vouchers for use by families in need. La-Porter FCU created flyers and advertisements and arranged for a live radio remote on the day of the event at two of the grocery store locations. The store made up lists as well as bags of groceries at the $5 and $10 price points so shopping would be easier. Credit union employees helped load groceries into the school buses. Results were tremendous with La-Porter FCU filling TWO school buses with more than $10,000 worth of food.

The competition is named after Dora Maxwell, a credit union pioneer, who worked with several organizations to improve the living standards of the poor and needy.

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