NJ CU Foundation Hosts its 100th Reality Fair!
Southern Credit Unions Collaborate to Bring Financial Literacy Experience to Millville Memorial High School, Marking a Milestone for the Foundation
MILLVILLE, N.J. – Bay Atlantic FCU, Members 1st of NJ FCU, and Thunderbolt Area FCU teamed up once again to bring the hands-on personal finance experience to Financial Literacy classes at Millville Memorial High School on Wednesday. This marks the 100th Reality Fair the New Jersey Credit Union Foundation (Foundation) has hosted in the state of New Jersey! The program has reached more than 13,600 students throughout the state since the program’s inception in 2010.
“This is an incredibly profound milestone for the program,” said Foundation Chairman Michael Hou. “Financial literacy is at the core of our mission here at the Foundation. Through the Reality Fair program, we are empowering our credit unions to educate those in their community, especially those in high school and college today.”
With the demand for the program increasing, the Board recently approved an increase of the number of grants available to New Jersey credit unions from two to four grants per school year. The Board will continue to consider grant applications for 50% of the Reality Fair costs.
“This program is the ‘people helping people’ philosophy at its finest,” said Foundation Secretary/Treasurer and New Jersey Credit Union League President/CEO David Frankil. “Our member credit unions are helping to educate and empower young people before they step out into the ‘real world’ in a fun, accessible, and hands-on way that promotes thrift, good spending/savings habits, and credit unions as a viable option for banking.”
“Since I started at the League and the Foundation nine years ago, I have seen this program grow and flourish, and it warms my heart to see us reach such a significant milestone,” said Foundation Executive Director Marissa Anema, who helped build and develop the program in 2010. “I am incredibly proud of the Foundation and credit unions across the state for their dedication to the industry’s mission to spread financial awareness, education, and empowerment to their communities.”
At the Millville Memorial High School Fair on Wednesday, volunteers from the three sponsoring credit unions as well as Bridgeton Onized FCU, Deepwater Industries FCU, Jersey Shore FCU, and the New Jersey Credit Union Foundation manned the various lifestyle booths and helped 340 students make financial choices. The students then sat with financial counselors, also volunteers from the credit unions, to go over the experience.
Additional photos from the Millville Memorial High School Fair and other Fairs are available on the NJ Credit Union Reality Fairs Facebook page.
The New Jersey Credit Union Foundation is in need of volunteers for upcoming Fairs! Contact Executive Director Marissa Anema to volunteer for an upcoming Fair listed below:
March 27, 2019 – Millville Senior High School Sponsored by Thunderbolt Area FCU (Millville)
April 3, 2019 – Holy Spirit High School Sponsored by Jersey Shore FCU (Absecon)
April 9, 2019 – Ocean County College Sponsored by NJ CU Foundation (Toms River)
April 12, 2019 – Rutgers University Sponsored by Rutgers FCU (Busch Campus)
April 16, 2019 – Veteran’s Memorial Intermediate School Sponsored by Bay Atlantic FCU (Vineland)
May 9, 2019 – Bridgeton High School Sponsored by Members 1st of NJ FCU (Bridgeton)
May 15, 2019 – Cumberland Regional High School Sponsored by Members 1st of NJ FCU (Bridgeton)
May 22, 2019 – Woodstown High School Sponsored by Thunderbolt Area FCU (Woodstown)
June 4, 2019 – Ramapo High School Sponsored by Visions FCU (Franklin Lakes)
June 11, 2019 – Wallace School Sponsored by Bay Atlantic FCU (Vineland)
Support the Program at the Foundation’s Casino Night Fundraiser on May 2nd
Join the New Jersey Credit Union Foundation for its fun-filled fundraiser, Casino Night! The event will take place Thursday, May 2nd, 2019 at the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The night will consist of an open bar and buffet dinner, Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament (pre-registration required), and Craps, Roulette, and Black Jack tables.
Supporting the New Jersey Credit Union Foundation through its Casino Night ensures that your funds will be used toward its charitable giving and in-house programs, like Reality Fairs. We look forward to your participation and support! For more information and to register, click here.