SECU takes an active role in assisting organizations and communities across North
Carolina through programs, scholarships and philanthropy. The Credit Union truly
believes in "People Helping People!"
SECU Foundation
The SECU Foundation,
funded solely by SECU members, was chartered to help identify and address community
issues that are beyond the normal scope of State Employees' Credit Union. The SECU
Foundation’s first project was the "People Helping People" scholarship
program to benefit North Carolina students. Originally approved in 2004 and renewed
each subsequent year, the program provides a $10,000 scholarship for a graduating
senior from each of North Carolina’s more than 350 traditional public high schools
for study at one of the sixteen constituent campuses of the University of North
Carolina System. The program also provides two $5,000 scholarships for students
attending each of the fifty-eight community colleges in North Carolina. To date,
SECU members have funded nearly $16 million to help our State’s students further
their education. The scholarship program was recently expanded to provide funding of
a $10,000 university scholarship and a $5,000 community college scholarship through
partnerships with two additional organizations. The Foundation teamed with the North
Carolina Industrial Commission to help support Kids’ Chance of North Carolina, Inc.
Kids’ Chance scholarship recipients are children of public sector employees who were
fatally injured in work-related accidents. SECU Foundation also partnered with the
North Carolina National Guard Association’s (NCNGA) Educational Foundation. These
scholarships benefit a son, daughter or grandchild of a soldier or airman assigned to
a unit in the North Carolina National Guard that has been placed into military
service and has become permanently disabled or deceased during active duty.
SECU Foundation pledged a $1 million gift to build the SECU Hospice House of Johnston
Health. This 12-bed facility will be located in Smithfield adjacent to Johnston
Memorial Hospital and will provide compassionate end-of-life care to patients and
support to their loved ones.
SECU Foundation pledged a $2 million gift to
SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals to help build a comfortable and affordable
place for families from all over North Carolina to reside while their loved ones are
being treated at UNC Hospitals. SECU Family House opened its doors in March 2008 and
has already been a blessing to many North Carolinians.
The Foundation has launched two teacher housing initiatives, one in Hertford County
and one in Dare County to assist with teacher recruitment and retention. Both
24-unit housing complexes have been completed, with
Hertford Pointe
opening in August 2007 and
Run Hill Ridge opening in August 2008.
Other SECU Foundation projects include a grant to provide funding for
SECU
Information Gateway, an e-learning center in the renovated Yancey County Library,
and funding to
NC GreenPower to support renewable energy alternatives for North Carolina. To
give honor and respect to fallen law enforcement officers and firefighters, SECU
Foundation provided funding to the
North Carolina Troopers Association/North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCTA/NCSHP)
Caisson Unit for a horse trailer to transport Caisson Unit horses to funerals of our
State’s fallen heroes.
What's In It For You
In an effort to make North Carolina's citizens more aware of services they receive
for their tax dollars, State Employees' Credit Union, working with the Office of
State Personnel, the State Employees Association of North Carolina and various other
state agency representatives, is pleased to provide funding for an image campaign
"What's In It For You!" An informational website,
www.whatsinitforyou.org, includes links to various state agencies and universities, and is
available to further promote the state employees who make a difference each and every
day for millions of North Carolinians.
Victory Junction Gang
SECU supports ongoing fundraising efforts for
Victory Junction Gang Camp. This camp, founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their
late son Adam, is a year-round camp that serves children, ages 6 to 16, with a
variety of health issues. Due to the generosity of donors, no child or family has to
incur the cost of attending Victory Junction. The children served at Victory Junction
are not able to attend normal summer camps due to their unique medical needs.
The racing themed camp is part of the Paul Newman's family of Hole in the Wall Gang
Camps and the only one of its type in the Carolinas and Virginia. It is located in
Randleman, NC on an 84-acre tract of land near the foothills, providing rolling
terrain, creeks and woodland streams. The camp hosts numerous activities and a
24-hour medical facility to handle any medical needs, from a minor cut to
chemotherapy treatments.
March of Dimes
SECU also participates in the
March of Dimes March for Babies fundraiser. Each year, more than half a million babies are
born too soon, too small or too sick in the United States. If they survive, they
may have lifelong health problems. March for Babies draws nearly 500,000 walkers in
all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Proceeds from March for Babies fund lifesaving
research and educational programs aimed at helping women in communities across the
country have healthy babies. In 2008, SECU had approximately 160 walkers participate
in the Triangle March for Babies and raised over $43,000.
State Employees Combined Campaign
SECU proudly participates in the
State Employees Combined Campaign. This campaign was established in 1984 to allow State employees
the opportunity to contribute to charitable organizations in an orderly and uniform
process. Since State Employees' Credit Union's membership base is largely made up of
State employees, the Credit Union actively participates in the SECC's statewide
campaign.
Since 1986, State employees have contributed over $70 million for hundreds of
charitable organizations. State employees designate their contributions directly to
these charities. In 2007, SECU employees statewide contributed over $53,000 to the
State Employees Combined Campaign.
Bluebird Houses
Helping to increase the population of bluebirds in North Carolina, SECU also sells
bluebird houses
in branch offices. Frank Newell and Anthony Steed of Eastern Bluebird Rescue Group
and their volunteers are responsible for the creation of these top quality
birdhouses. To date, nearly 65,000 bluebird houses have been sold to SECU members
thanks to the efforts of Mr. Newell, Mr. Steed and their volunteers.
School Artwork on Display
State Employees' Credit Union has partnered with elementary schools, middle schools
and high schools across the state to display students' artwork within the local
branches. The partnership helps SECU increase its reach into the educational
community and provide the students with an opportunity to shine.
