Last year, a local group of Girl Scouts in Grafton, ND were the first to participate in the Seeds-2-$ave project at North Star Community Credit Union. From sales of produce that they raised, the troop decided to donate a portion of their Seeds-2-$ave money to the VA hospital in Fargo, ND. Shown in the photo is one of the Girl Scouts, Kaleigh Martinson, presenting a $130 check to Jess from the VA Hospital on June 13, 2017.

Nanci Gale-Wilson, Training & Education Director at North Star Community Credit Union’s Grafton branch, conceived the idea for the “Seeds-2-$ave” project when she was completing her CUDE (Credit Union Development Education) training. Through this program, with the tag line, "Teaching our youth to nurture their funds to a bountiful growth,” children learn entrepreneurship of planting, growing, picking and selling their very own vegetables while saving some of their profits in their savings account at the credit union. Now, it seems that they are learning another important lesson: paying it forward.

“When we met about their final earnings, we also discussed the possibility of branching out in a larger ‘people helping people’ way, said Wilson. “Donating to a local charity, hospital, or non-profit was placed on the table and it was an absolute no brainer for the girls, as they said YES right away. This is a win/win all around. What an amazing way to pay it forward and hopefully encourage others to do the same!”