EAST LANSING, Mich. — You may have noticed more MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) employees then usual out and about a few weeks ago. You may have even received free coffee, lunch, or tickets to a movie theater from them, as they encouraged you to Pay It Forward. It was an event created to fulfill one of the Credit Union's values: giving back to the community.

Now in its sixth year, the Credit Union's annual Pay It Forward Week initiative took place the week of November 11 - 17, 2018, in conjunction with its 81st anniversary on November 15. Employees were in Auburn Hills, Berkley, Clarkston, Ortonville, Greater Lansing, Charlotte, Holt, Grand Rapids, and on the Oakland University and MSU campuses sharing kindness and encouraging recipients to Pay It Forward.

"Our employees take our Pay It Forward campaign to heart," said Whitney Anderson-Harrell, MSUFCU's Chief Community Development Officer. "Each year, we look forward to the opportunity to share kindness in our communities by handing out gift cards, paying for meals, and donating to area charities selected by our employees. Pay It Forward is an impactful and important Credit Union tradition."

During the weeklong campaign, Credit Union employees paid for individuals' coffees, teas, and lunches at businesses including Biggby, DiBella's Subs, You Me & Bubble Tea, Madcap Coffee, Parsley Mediterranean Grille, Espresso Royale, Jersey Mike's, and Einstein Bagels. At other sites, such as public libraries and bowling alleys, community members were offered gift cards. Specific charities including Forgotten Harvest in Oakland County and Sparrow's Nest in Lansing, selected by employees, each received a $500 donation. One individual was also chosen to receive a $500 donation: Xavier Degroat, CEO & Founder of Xavier DeGroat Autism Foundation.

Over the past 81 years, the Credit Union has expanded its service, donations, and volunteerism to serve its membership and communities. This year, employees distributed $8,100 on behalf of the Credit Union. We appreciate our members' continued support — we wouldn't be where we are today without them!

MSUFCU has a national reputation for excellence and has received several top industry and workplace awards. For the sixth year in a row, MSUFCU was named as a Top Workplace in the large employer category by the Detroit Free Press. This year, it was again recognized as one of CU Journal's Best Credit Unions to Work For, a Michigan Best and Brightest in Wellness award winner, and is certified as a Great Place to Work®. In 2017, MSUFCU was recognized as a Best Workplace for Women by Fortune Magazine, and an Outstanding Credit Union of the Year by the Michigan Credit Union League. The credit union has also been nationally recognized for its financial education initiatives, ranking first in Michigan and second in the nation for the 2017 Alphonse Desjardins Adult Financial Education award by the Credit Union National Association. Founded in 1937, MSUFCU has 18 branches, more than 267,000 members, $4.2 billion in assets, and nearly 900 employees.