Recap: 2025 DE Day of Service – Credit Union DEs Making an Impact Nationwide

In June, Development Educators (DEs) across the country came together for the 2025 DE Day of Service, demonstrating the power of the credit union movement to create positive change in their local communities. From food insecurity to disaster recovery to back-to-school readiness, DEs turned their cooperative values into action in powerful and inspiring ways. Here’s a look back at how DEs showed up across the nation:

Feeding Families in West Virginia
At Bayer Heritage Federal Credit Union, DE professionals volunteered at the Rosenbaum Family House in Morgantown, WV, preparing and serving a warm meal to patients and their families. This effort was part of Hilda’s 100 Days, 100 Meals, a community challenge to support guests at this vital facility that provides a home away from home for those receiving medical care at WVU Medicine’s J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital. 

Supporting Disaster Recovery in North Carolina
North Carolina DEs joined forces with the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation to aid communities still recovering from Hurricane Helene. Volunteers took on critical recovery projects in Western NC, furthering long-term support and rebuilding efforts in storm-impacted areas.  

Back-to-School Support at Coastal
Coastal Credit Union DEs focused their energy on kids and classrooms. In addition to an upcoming day dedicated to employees’ children, they wrapped up a school supply drive that brought in over 3,000 items. Volunteers packed 55 backpacks for students of their own team members, a wonderful example of caring for the credit union family. 

Summer School Supply Drive in South Carolina
REV Federal Credit Union is extending their Day of Service effort throughout the summer. Their DE-led school supply drive benefits local Title I schools through A Teacher’s Supply Closet, ensuring students in need have the resources to succeed when school returns. 

Food Relief in Asheville, NC
Volunteers from across the credit union community, including DEs, gathered at the MANNA Food Bank in Asheville. Displaced from their original space due to Hurricane Helene, MANNA found a new home thanks to support from FedEx and other community partners. DEs were proud to lend a hand in helping feed local families and support this vital hunger relief hub. 

Growing Solutions in Madison, WI
Madison-area DEs rolled up their sleeves at Forward Garden, a 12-acre site that supports local food pantries with fresh produce. Volunteers planted cucumbers, squash, and other crops and tended to thriving snap peas. Last year alone, the garden produced over 35,000 pounds of food, including 3,600 pounds for St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. 

Ohio Credit Unions Unite to Fight Hunger
DEs and Ohio Credit Union League staff joined forces to serve multiple communities across the state. In Northeast Ohio, volunteers worked at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, reinforcing their commitment to fighting hunger. Special thanks go to DE leaders Justin Frazier and Sharon Dunnerstick for their leadership and coordination. 

Luminate Launches “Impact Day”
During their annual convention, Luminate hosted their first ever Impact Day, where credit unions visited three nonprofit organizations to better understand community needs and deepen local engagement. This initiative set the stage for ongoing, meaningful service partnerships. 

Snack Packs for Kids in Dallas, TX
Resource One Credit Union’s DEs Clarence, George, and Yolonda joined colleagues to support the Wilkinson Center’s Stock Up for Summer program by assembling snack packs for food-insecure children in Dallas County. With over 140,000 students relying on school meals, this program ensures no child goes hungry during the summer. Resource One’s culture of service includes 2,200 volunteer hours annually and paid VTO for all employees, showing that giving back is central to who they are. 

Harvesting Hope in Orange County, CA
SchoolsFirst FCU DEs joined other volunteer groups at Irvine Harvest Solutions Farm, where they helped harvest an incredible 6,000 pounds of zucchini. This produce went directly to food pantries, senior centers, shelters, and other organizations supporting people facing food insecurity throughout Orange County. 

A Movement in Action
From gardens to food banks, classrooms to community homes, the DE Day of Service exemplified the cooperative spirit of credit unions in action. Thank you to all the DEs and credit union professionals who made this year’s events such a powerful testament to “people helping people.” 

Stay connected with us and follow more DE impact stories throughout the year!