Local credit union wins 2014 Communitas Award

Genisys Credit Union, which provides services to anyone who lives or works in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, recently won the 2014 Communitas Community Partnership Award. "It's an honor to be recognized for our involvement in the community," said Jackie Buchanan, president and CEO. "One of our core values is to remain people-focused, and we strive to make a difference in each of the communities where we are located." The Communitas Award is an international effort to recognize exceptional businesses, organizations and individuals that are unselfishly giving of themselves and their resources, and those that are changing how they do business to benefit their communities. Nominees are evaluated on the extent and effectiveness of their efforts. Genisys Credit Union discovered an alarming statistic that one in three adults in Michigan read below a 6th grade level and 47% of metro-Detroiters are functionally illiterate. Determined to make a difference, Genisys, along with local partners took March is Reading Month to a new height. To raise awareness of illiteracy in metro-Detroit, Genisys Credit Union partnered with Oakland County Parks and Recreation to sponsor the Reading Ranger Program. This program was offered to all Oakland County elementary students and asked them set a reading goal for the month of March. Once the program was complete, all of the students who met or exceeded their selected goals received a water park ticket. Genisys Credit Union also collected over 500 books that were donated to the North Oakland YMCA for their Operation Back to School Bash. Buffalo Wild Wings assisted in the book drive by providing a meal coupon for everyone who donated a book to the cause. Wrapping up the Genisys Credit Union reading literacy program, Genisys partnered with 99.5 WYCD to visit schools in the metro-Detroit area and read stories that taught meaningful lessons to the students. The Communitas Awards is an outgrowth of the pro bono recognition program by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. Published: Thu, Jan 15, 2015