ST. PAUL, Minn. (Oct. 4, 2018) – For the sixth year, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union is holding its annual day of generosity and kindness in October, but this time focused on community contributions.

On Plus It Forward Day each October, the credit union’s 500-plus employees have spent a full day volunteering, serving and scattering kindness in Affinity Plus communities across Minnesota.

The tradition will continue in 2018, but with a slightly different approach. Rather than providing “boots on the ground,” Affinity Plus has allocated $50,000 to “Plus it Forward” to charities, organization and community partners so that they may further their goals.

MAKING IMPROVEMENTS, KEEPING MOMENTUM
In recent years, Plus It Forward Day occurred on the second Monday of October – Columbus Day (also known as Indigenous Peoples’ Day).

“We established this day in 2013 for the sole purpose of doing good and improving lives and communities on a local level,” said Dave Larson, Affinity Plus President/CEO. “Plus It Forward is a favorite day of the year for so many of our employees – it truly has become engrained into who we are as an organization.”

Still, for much of 2018, Affinity Plus employees were focused on implementing major system and technology improvements across the organization to serve members better, Larson said.

The comprehensive technology upgrades were critical in setting up the credit union for the future, he said, but Affinity Plus leaders and employees didn’t want to lose Plus It Forward momentum and impact.

That’s where the financial contributions come into play, as a committee of employees from across Minnesota determined how best to invest this financial support.

“We have such a powerful impact on our communities by staying local, and our employees and leaders understand the unique needs of each community, Larson said. “And, without question, we will leverage the collective power of our employees again in future years as we continue the Plus It Forward Day tradition.”

2018 SUPPORTED ORGANIZATIONS 
The following list includes some of the organizations that Affinity Plus will support on Plus It Forward Day 2018:

• 360 Communities – giving hope and support to people by engaging communities to prevent violence.

• Alexandria Veteran’s Memorial Park – honoring 9,000 Veterans in Douglas County.

• Boys & Girls Club of Grand Rapids & Greenway – investing in the future of area youth by providing accessible, affordable after-school programs for kids age 6 to 18.

• Dorothy Day Center – helping those in need with basic services and working to provide pathways out of poverty and prevent it all together.

• Faith’s Lodge – assisting parents and families facing the death of a child and supporting an employee’s return to work during this transitional time.

• Hastings Family Service – providing a range of emergency and supportive services to assist neighbors who lack food, clothing, shelter or transportation.

• Mankato Area Foundation – collaborating as a community partner to promote philanthropy and provide funding to a variety of organizations in the Mankato region.

• Moorhead Police Athletics & Activities League – helping to reduce juvenile crime by engaging area youth in athletics and activities.

• Neighborhood House – providing support to 15,000 people each year through education, youth programs, health and well-being.

• Opens Doors Foundation – providing rental and mortgage payment assistance to families with critically ill or injured children.

• Red Cross Southeast MN Chapter – preventing and alleviating human suffering in the face of emergencies.

• Ronald McDonald House – providing a comfortable and caring home-away-from-home that helps keep families together and reduces stress during a child’s serious illness.

• Second Harvest Heartland – working to end hunger through community partnerships in communities across Minnesota.

• Special Olympics Minnesota – serving people of all ages with intellectual disabilities through fitness, nutrition, competition and leadership programs.

• Veteran’s Home of Minneapolis – providing services to Veterans to meet physical, social and spiritual needs. 

ABOUT AFFINITY PLUS
Based in St. Paul, Minn., Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, financial cooperative that puts people first above profits. Members of Affinity Plus receive maximum value through competitive rates, minimal fees, and unique, member-centric products and programs. Established in 1930, Affinity Plus has 28 branches throughout Minnesota and is owned by more than 195,000 members. Affinity Plus has over $2 billion in assets. Additional information is available at affinityplus.org or by calling (800) 322-7228.