Autism Acceptance Month 2023

April is #AutismAcceptanceMonth. PEFCU’s Core Values include Care and Inclusivity. We strive to live these values every day by celebrating each person’s uniqueness, like fingerprints. This month, we will be sharing stories from PEFCU associates and their families about their experience with Autism.   Amanda & Sawyer Amanda Notheis, a Loan Operations Specialist at PEFCU, wanted to share her son Sawyer’s story. Sawyer is seven years old and was diagnosed with Autism about 2 years ago. Amanda describes Sawyer as high-functioning, which means he can still carry on a regular lifestyle and attend a mainstream school, but he is extremely sensitive…

March 20, 2023We Are PEFCU No Comments

April is #AutismAcceptanceMonth. PEFCU’s Core Values include Care and Inclusivity. We strive to live these values every day by celebrating each person’s uniqueness, like fingerprints. This month, we will be sharing stories from PEFCU associates and their families about their experience with Autism.   Amanda & Sawyer Amanda Notheis, a Loan Operations Specialist at PEFCU, wanted to share her son Sawyer’s story. Sawyer is seven years old and was diagnosed with Autism about 2 years ago. Amanda describes Sawyer as high-functioning, which means he can still carry on a regular lifestyle and attend a mainstream school, but he is extremely sensitive…

Family Fun in Lakeland

Looking for something fun to do with your friends and family in Lakeland? Say no more, PEFCU fam!  PEFCU is really “having a ball” this year, as our Lakeland branch is now a proud sponsor of not one, not two, but THREE sports teams: The Lakeland Magic basketball team, the Florida Tropics soccer team, and the Detroit Tigers/Lakeland Flying Tigers baseball teams!   What does this mean, you ask? It means we have several more opportunities to meet with potential members and spread brand awareness about our credit union and its values. Our “goal” is to reach associates from Publix and…

February 1, 2023We Are PEFCU No Comments

Looking for something fun to do with your friends and family in Lakeland? Say no more, PEFCU fam!  PEFCU is really “having a ball” this year, as our Lakeland branch is now a proud sponsor of not one, not two, but THREE sports teams: The Lakeland Magic basketball team, the Florida Tropics soccer team, and the Detroit Tigers/Lakeland Flying Tigers baseball teams!   What does this mean, you ask? It means we have several more opportunities to meet with potential members and spread brand awareness about our credit union and its values. Our “goal” is to reach associates from Publix and…

Looking Back On 2022: A Year of Giving

Happy New Year, PEFCU fam! I hope you enjoyed your holidays by winding down and relaxing with your loved ones. The last few weeks of 2022 felt like a whirlwind, but alas, here we are in 2023 with promises of new beginnings and a brighter tomorrow! 😊   As you may recall, PEFCU launched its NEW community outreach program in April of 2022, and it took off like wildfire! After looking at the stats, I was personally blown away at all that PEFCU has accomplished in so little time, and so it brings me great joy to be able to share…

January 5, 2023We Are PEFCU No Comments

Happy New Year, PEFCU fam! I hope you enjoyed your holidays by winding down and relaxing with your loved ones. The last few weeks of 2022 felt like a whirlwind, but alas, here we are in 2023 with promises of new beginnings and a brighter tomorrow! 😊   As you may recall, PEFCU launched its NEW community outreach program in April of 2022, and it took off like wildfire! After looking at the stats, I was personally blown away at all that PEFCU has accomplished in so little time, and so it brings me great joy to be able to share…

December Toy Drive: Guardian ad Litem

Welcome back, loyal members! It’s me, Alyssa (your community connection), and I am back with an INCREDIBLE initiative to help jump-start your holiday spirit!  Throughout December, PEFCU will be partnered with local Guardian ad Litem (GAL) organizations to host a gift donation drive at each of our branches. This drive will bring awareness and hope this holiday season to children in foster care who have been abused, abandoned, and neglected. Over 37,000 children were part of the Florida GAL program last year alone. With your help, we can restore their hope and give them something to look forward to under…

November 28, 2022We Are PEFCU No Comments

Welcome back, loyal members! It’s me, Alyssa (your community connection), and I am back with an INCREDIBLE initiative to help jump-start your holiday spirit!  Throughout December, PEFCU will be partnered with local Guardian ad Litem (GAL) organizations to host a gift donation drive at each of our branches. This drive will bring awareness and hope this holiday season to children in foster care who have been abused, abandoned, and neglected. Over 37,000 children were part of the Florida GAL program last year alone. With your help, we can restore their hope and give them something to look forward to under…

Boots For Troops Donation Collection

The heart of our credit union is giving back and actively working to reinvest in the communities we serve. That’s why during the entire month of November, PEFCU is partnering with Boots for Troops to host a donation drive for the brave men and women in our military.   While deployed overseas, Boots for Troops founder Jimmy Rogers often witnessed his shipmates return to their camp with no packages waiting for them. If they did receive a package, it was typically mass-produced and full of items the service members didn’t want or need. This gave Jimmy the incredible and heartwarming idea…

October 5, 2022We Are PEFCU No Comments

The heart of our credit union is giving back and actively working to reinvest in the communities we serve. That’s why during the entire month of November, PEFCU is partnering with Boots for Troops to host a donation drive for the brave men and women in our military.   While deployed overseas, Boots for Troops founder Jimmy Rogers often witnessed his shipmates return to their camp with no packages waiting for them. If they did receive a package, it was typically mass-produced and full of items the service members didn’t want or need. This gave Jimmy the incredible and heartwarming idea…

Doggie Dates with Lakeland’s SPCA

Hi! Alyssa here! I’m your PEFCU Community Engagement and Branding Specialist, and I love to talk about how PEFCU helps people in our communities live their best lives. Today, I want to tell you about one initiative near and dear to my heart: SPCA Florida.    The SPCA helps eliminate animal suffering and engages the whole community in the welfare and well-being of animals. As of 2022, they have saved 2,133 lives and spayed and neutered 3,522 pets. PEFCU partners with SPCA Florida to bring awareness of the furry pals available for adoption in our hometown of Lakeland.   As a proud…

September 6, 2022We Are PEFCU No Comments

Hi! Alyssa here! I’m your PEFCU Community Engagement and Branding Specialist, and I love to talk about how PEFCU helps people in our communities live their best lives. Today, I want to tell you about one initiative near and dear to my heart: SPCA Florida.    The SPCA helps eliminate animal suffering and engages the whole community in the welfare and well-being of animals. As of 2022, they have saved 2,133 lives and spayed and neutered 3,522 pets. PEFCU partners with SPCA Florida to bring awareness of the furry pals available for adoption in our hometown of Lakeland.   As a proud…

3 Ways to Live More Sustainably

Earth Day is a great day to start thinking about how you can reduce your carbon footprint. Here are three things you can start doing right away!  Save Water. According to the EPA, the average American family typically uses over 300 gallons of water every day. With climate change causing droughts across the nation and around the world, it’s critical to saving water whenever you can.  Green Your Closet. Americans buy a lot of clothing, and it’s quickly filling landfills. In addition, donated clothing often winds up being sent to developing countries, where it’s overwhelming local economies. The prescription for…

April 18, 2022Wallet Wins, We Are PEFCU No Comments

Earth Day is a great day to start thinking about how you can reduce your carbon footprint. Here are three things you can start doing right away!  Save Water. According to the EPA, the average American family typically uses over 300 gallons of water every day. With climate change causing droughts across the nation and around the world, it’s critical to saving water whenever you can.  Green Your Closet. Americans buy a lot of clothing, and it’s quickly filling landfills. In addition, donated clothing often winds up being sent to developing countries, where it’s overwhelming local economies. The prescription for…

Women’s History in the Credit Union Movement 

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we want to bring to light one of the women behind the credit union movement. Louise McCarren Herring played a huge role in founding credit unions and organizations that supported credit unions. Early pioneers of the movement included people of all backgrounds and ages, and Herring was one of the youngest to get involved.  Louise McCarren Herring, now referred to as the “Mother of Credit Unions,” was just 23 years old when she started her activist work for the not-for-profit cooperative movement. Seeing how debt affected people’s lives, she worked tirelessly to set up…

March 7, 2022We Are PEFCU 1 Comment

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we want to bring to light one of the women behind the credit union movement. Louise McCarren Herring played a huge role in founding credit unions and organizations that supported credit unions. Early pioneers of the movement included people of all backgrounds and ages, and Herring was one of the youngest to get involved.  Louise McCarren Herring, now referred to as the “Mother of Credit Unions,” was just 23 years old when she started her activist work for the not-for-profit cooperative movement. Seeing how debt affected people’s lives, she worked tirelessly to set up…

Black History Month: Inspiring Leaders

In celebration of Black History Month, we decided to highlight one of PEFCU’s inspiring African American leaders to share their perspective on what working for a diverse and inclusive credit union really means to them. This year, we’re featuring Jheniffer Alphonse, Assistant Branch Manager in Pembroke Pines! Jheniffer has been working with PEFCU members for over 15 years. She began her career as a Teller, and has been promoted to numerous positions within the branch. She is now the Assistant Branch Manager at one of our largest branches.  She is also a single mother of four with “kids” ranging from…

February 28, 2022We Are PEFCU No Comments

In celebration of Black History Month, we decided to highlight one of PEFCU’s inspiring African American leaders to share their perspective on what working for a diverse and inclusive credit union really means to them. This year, we’re featuring Jheniffer Alphonse, Assistant Branch Manager in Pembroke Pines! Jheniffer has been working with PEFCU members for over 15 years. She began her career as a Teller, and has been promoted to numerous positions within the branch. She is now the Assistant Branch Manager at one of our largest branches.  She is also a single mother of four with “kids” ranging from…

9 Ways to Celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day

9 Ways to Celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day  American author and cartoonist, Scott Adams, says, “Remember, there is no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”  February 17 is National Random Acts of Kindness Day and we put together a list of 9 ways you can celebrate and spread kindness.  Leave quarters at the laundromat  Pay for the person behind you in the drive-through  Do a sibling’s chore without them asking  Leave a generous tip at a restaurant  Hold the door for someone  Donate to charity  Give someone a…

February 6, 2022We Are PEFCU No Comments

9 Ways to Celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day  American author and cartoonist, Scott Adams, says, “Remember, there is no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”  February 17 is National Random Acts of Kindness Day and we put together a list of 9 ways you can celebrate and spread kindness.  Leave quarters at the laundromat  Pay for the person behind you in the drive-through  Do a sibling’s chore without them asking  Leave a generous tip at a restaurant  Hold the door for someone  Donate to charity  Give someone a…