Forest Area Federal Credit Union Pays It Forward in Kalkaska

Forest Area Federal Credit Union surprised the staff of their Kalkaska Branch location with an early morning activity on February 16th, 2015. This activity directed the staff to take $500 and Pay It Forward into their community. The staff of 10 employees led by Branch Manager Sue Farr, divided up into 2 groups and headed out into their community looking for opportunities to Pay It Forward. The Pay It Forward opportunities the staff took advantage of included paying for several peoples groceries' including an elderly couple who stated that they had very few funds in their account to purchase groceries. The staff found time to give funds to KalGas to be applied to the heating bills of those they knew were struggling to pay, purchasing breakfast for several residents at the McDonald’s restaurant and at Big Boy, paying for prescriptions at a local pharmacy, and stopping by local doctor’s offices, dental offices and veterinary clinics to leave funds to help those who might need a helping hand and more.CEO Robert Raden says this about this activity: ‘My staff was excited and proud that we could do this. They expressed that this was such a rewarding experience to know that our credit union is as community committed as we possibly can be. A strong relationship in our communities has made our credit union a success and our board is always open to be a benefactor to all of our communities in tough times.’ Forest Area Federal Credit Union has a long standing history of embracing the credit union philosophy of People Helping People through their Community Grant program which funds such things as capital improvement projects, new or replacement equipment, and new building projects supporting parks and recreations etc. Forest Area Federal CU also helps out community members who have experienced a catastrophic life event such as a cancer diagnosis, unexpected or uninsured death, home fire etc. with a little helping hand through an employee funded Humanity Fund. The credit union also raises funds regularly for Children’s Miracle Network, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and local food pantries. This activity today was just one more way of giving back to the communities and those who have supported the credit union growth and success through the years.As a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative, Forest Area Federal Credit Union is committed to their members. They uphold the fundamental responsibility to actively serve people within their field of membership and the communities in which they live. Forest Area Federal CU treats all members with dignity and respect and offer honest, fair deals to all members at all times. Forest Area Federal Credit Union delivers a range of low cost products and services to the diverse economic and social make-up of their members and potential members. Forest Area Federal Credit Union looks for better ways to reach out to the underserved in their field of membership. Finally, they will continually, in all facets of their operation, demonstrate the value of membership in Forest Area Federal Credit Union. To learn more about Forest Area Federal Credit Union visit www.forestarea.com or find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/forestareafcu and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ForestAreaFCU .