Folsom, Calif. – (August 15, 2024) – When a new employee resource group (ERG) at SAFE Credit Union that focuses on veterans and military families looked for a way to connect its mission with credit union members, it landed on a unique initiative centered on the nation’s flag.
In honor of Flag Day in June and Independence Day in July, members of the Veterans and Loved Ones Resource (VALOR) ERG led a collection drive for flags ready for retirement. From June through early July, they placed bins in SAFE’s 20 branches and Contact Center in the Sacramento area and in its headquarters building in Folsom for people to honorably place their flags. VALOR members arranged to forward the flags to a local Cub Scout group for them to conduct honorary flag retirement ceremonies in alignment with the U.S. Flag Code.
SAFE gathered over 300 flags from members and will forward them to a Cub Scout Troop to retire them in alignment with the U.S. Flag Code.
“We were pleasantly surprised that we collected over 300 flags from our members,” says SAFE Credit Union Chief Technology Officer Michael McCarthy and the executive sponsor of VALOR. “That far exceeded our expectations. Members brought in multiple flags and had family and friends bring flags to our branches, too."
SAFE Chief Technology Officer
and VALOR Executive Sponsor Michael McCarthy
The initiative “sparked conversations and connections that deepened our relationships with members,” McCarthy says.
Those connections are particularly meaningful given SAFE’s military history as a credit union originally founded to serve Sacramento-area U.S. Air Force personnel, McCarthy adds.
The drive was so successful that VALOR plans to hold it annually around the summer patriotic holidays: Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Independence Day.
“It’s a very meaningful way for us to connect with our members and our community,” McCarthy says. "We really appreciate the Boy Scouts helping us retire the flags with dignity."
Branch leaders say members were excited to participate and appreciated SAFE offering the service.
“Our branches were honored to be able to provide this service,” says SAFE Credit Union Vice President Retail Branches Janine Southwick. “It’s another way we can connect with our members and a unique way to show we honor the national symbol.”
VALOR chose the flag collection as its first outreach event in part because of the symbol of unity the flag represents.
“Flag Day is an opportunity to reflect on the significance of the American flag and what it represents: unity, freedom, and the enduring spirit of our nation,” says Loan Servicing Manager Yvette Tibbs, who leads VALOR. “The flag is a powerful symbol of our shared values and the sacrifices made to uphold them.”
To interview VALOR leaders, please contact AVP Communications and PR Carole Ferguson at [email protected] or (916) 836-6318.
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About SAFE
SAFE Credit Union has made members an integral part of its vision since 1940. Over the years the credit union has kept the focus on what really matters, putting members first, a formula that has seen SAFE grow into a leading financial institution in Northern California with $4.6 billion in assets and about 236,000 members. SAFE crafts every cutting-edge product and sterling service with members’ needs foremost in mind. In addition to banking services conveniently available through online, chat, mobile, or phone options, SAFE offers in-person services for members and small businesses at service centers across the Greater Sacramento region. SAFE is a not-for-profit, state-chartered credit union with membership open to businesses and individuals living or working in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Sutter, Butte, Nevada, Solano, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Yuba, Amador, and Alameda counties. Insured by NCUA. www.safecu.org