This past January Weltman, Weinberg & Reis sent out a call for nominations to all Ohio credit unions for our 2011 WWR Outstanding Community Partner Award. Our goal, to honor credit unions that actively partner with their local communities to provide educational, community outreach and/or community service programs. The response was enthusiastic and selecting a winner was very difficult! The winning credit union was Glass City Federal Credit Union of Maumee, Ohio. Glass City Federal Credit Union’s vision supports the initial principals of the credit union movement: “People Helping People.” The credit union first formed the Glass City Federal Outreach Committee in the Fall of 2007 which is comprised of employees from several branches with the shared goal of bringing different causes to the attention of the organization and helping the community. At the beginning of each Calendar year, the Outreach Committee approaches the staff and asks for their input on community events; specifically, what causes and organizations they are most passionate about. It is from this response that the Committee makes up the Outreach calendar for the following year. Glass City Federal Credit Union employees participated in over 20 community events last year raising awareness and funds for such charities as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, American Cancer Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and local food banks and humane societies just to name a few.
On April 6, 2011, John Porter, managing attorney with Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., L.P.A. (WWR) presented Melanie Ogrodowski, Marketing Director, and Katie Beakas, Marketing Coordinator, of Glass City Federal Credit Union of Maumee, Ohio, with the 1st annual 2011 WWR Outstanding Community Partner Award at the Ohio Credit Union League InVest48 annual convention and trade show held at the Renaissance Hotel in Columbus, Ohio. Along with a crystal trophy, Glass City Federal Credit Union received a $1,000.00 check to assist with their future charitable endeavors.
*Pictured left to right: Melanie Ogrodowski (Director of Marketing, Glass City FCU), Katie Beakas (Marketing Coordinator, Glass City FCU), Lauren Halton (WWR), John Porter (WWR) and Mark Slates (President and CEO, Glass City FCU)
All nominees demonstrated a company-wide commitment to community service and were recognized for their participation. Other nominees included Cincinnati Ohio Police Federal Credit Union (Cincinnati), Credit Union of Ohio (Hilliard), Day Air Credit Union (Dayton), Eaton Family Credit Union (Euclid), Fiberglas Federal Credit Union (Newark) and Harvest Federal Credit Union (Heath), Members First Credit Union (Columbus), Ohio HealthCare Federal Credit Union (Dublin), PSE Credit Union (Parma), Telhio Credit Union (Columbus) and Unity Catholic Federal Credit Union (Parma).
This award is meant to celebrate credit unions in Ohio that are investing time and resources into their communities and inspiring others through their work. We congratulate all our nominees on the work and commitment they have demonstrated, are proud to partner with Glass City Federal Credit Union as our inaugural winner and look forward to supporting credit unions for years to come.
Lauren Halton is a Credit Union Representative with Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., LPA. She can be reached at 614.857.4382 or lhalton@weltman.com.
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