Red, White but no Blue
Friday, July 10th, 2009
by GHCU Marketing Manager and Blogger Arden Clise
Chase just announced they aren’t going to continue sponsoring the Family Fourth Fireworks at GasWorks Park. This event has been a Seattle tradition for 21 years and was created by a local company—Fratellis Ice Cream—as a gift to the city. Unless One Reel, the company that produces the event, can find another sponsor, our gift will be taken away. Really, Seattle, a world class city, without an Independence Day celebration? Not right!
WaMu spent millions of dollars supporting the community both in Seattle, their headquarters, and the many other states in which they did business. It was part of their mission. In fact, when I worked there, WaMu Family Fourth was one of the sponsorships I managed. I was so proud to be able to continue the tradition of bringing this great event to the city as a gift. I’m deeply saddened it may go away.
When I left WaMu to come to GHCU, I was thrilled to learn that the philosophy of supporting our communities is integral to credit unions. We come together to help our neighbors, each other and the businesses in our areas. We sponsor Credit Unions for Kids, financial literacy programs for high school students, conduct food, clothing and other drives for area non-profits. And we support local events and causes. Just today, we learned GHCU is the Top Fundraising Corporate Team with fewer than 500 employees for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Our little company of 106 employees raised $11,249.79 and had 90 people on our team! That makes me proud.
I invite you to feel proud too as a member of a credit union. Chase away the banking blues.
Is this your personal point of view or is it a corporate one? If this is the corporate posture, perhaps GHCU ought to put their money where their mouth is….if this is your personal posture, perhaps you should use another forum for it or at least label it as a personal stance…
Yes, that is my personal point of view but it’s all fodder for discussion. Thanks for your thoughts and for participating in the conversation.
Thank you for responding.
It’s sad that an entity as large as Chase comes to our community promising things won’t change or at the least will get better – and then they withdraw their support for this particular event which is so visible and linked to the hearts of many of those who live here.
But on another note it is very heartwarming to know that the EMPLOYEES of GHCU care enough about their community that they raised over $11,000 to support those in need…just goes to show that C.U.’s are the best way to go! Because you get service – AND you get people who care!
Thanks GHCU employees! You’re some of the BEST people I know!