Community Involvement Day

North Star Community Credit Union kicked off its inaugural Community Involvement Day on June 19^th, 2023 with a range of impactful activities across the region. Every employee from North Star volunteered in their respective regions, making a tangible difference.

The Cavalier and Grafton branches joined forces to organize a City-Wide Cleanup in Grafton. The event not only enhanced the aesthetic of Grafton but also fostered a sense of unity and pride among participants.

In another part of the region, the Minot 1819 Branch, Minot Contact Center, Minot AFB, Velva and Butte Branches organized a Blood Drive with Vitalant. This life-saving initiative aimed to address the constant need for blood donations. They began the day with the ability to fill 24 slots for blood donation and were able to exceed that with 27 individuals donating. With 1 blood donation saving three lives, according to Vitalant, North Star Community Credit Union’s efforts with this blood drive resulted in 81 lives being impacted. Additionally, the branches partnered together for an Operation ‘Thank You Veterans’ Donation Station to collect essential items for local veterans in need. Throughout the day, staff collected $50.00 in cash donations, 52 food pantry items and 132 personal hygiene items. The non-perishable food items were donated to the Velva Food Pantry with the personal hygiene items being donated to area veterans in need through Operation Thank You Veterans, hosted by the regions Credit Union Chapter.

The Minot region also participated in various community projects with Project BEE throughout the day. Project BEE is an organization that provides equity and anti-poverty services to rural communities in North Dakota.

This project had a staff of 3 groups for 132 total man hours served volunteering with Operation Bee. The groups worked in multiple areas including preparation of feminine hygiene products for donation. Over 500 mixed bags were created and dozens of diapers were bundled in 15 count packages for their monthly distribution to community members in need. Team members organized, folded and hung garments for the clothing closet upstairs while also sorting through thousands of previously donated items. They were sorted by size and gender in order to be utilized for future distribution throughout the community. Team members organized the diaper donation room while restocking the shelves. The front entry and hallways were swept and mopped at Operation Bee to provide a clean and welcoming environment for community members to pick up supplies. The kitchen where client meals are prepared was deep cleaned as well as the shower room and bathroom area. Outside, rock landscaping was completely cleared to prepare for a new wildflower garden. Sidewalks were swept and weeds were sprayed and pulled.

Assisting an organization like Operation Bee allows us to make a larger impact in the community through the continuous giving done by the organization. Helping to organize, clean and take the heavy lifting off of their shoulders with ground-work will provide a better experience for community members who will visit the organization when they are in need.

Meanwhile, the Maddock, Devils Lake, and Tolna branches collaborated to host a City-Wide Cleanup in Maddock. Volunteers came together to repaint, transforming the town’s streets and a historical building into cleaner, more inviting spaces. The event showcased the commitment of North Star Community Credit Union and its members to environmental stewardship and community well-being.

The Rugby, Bottineau, and Willow City branches focused their efforts on the Pierce County Fairgrounds Cleanup. Volunteers rolled up their sleeves to ensure that the fairgrounds were in top shape for upcoming events. By tidying up the grounds, North Star Community Credit Union demonstrated its dedication to supporting local organizations and events that bring joy and entertainment to the community.

The collective efforts of these branches underscored North Star Community Credit Union’s commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of individuals and the community as a whole.