Falcon Heights, MN  With the theme, "Prepare to be Amazed," SPIRE Credit Union held its 85th Annual Meeting and Member Appreciation Day event on February 16 to a strong and enthusiastic crowd. 
 
4,340 attendees filled the auditorium and additional overflow rooms at Grace Church in Eden Prairie. A record number of attendees also took advantage of informational sessions prior to the event.  Session topics included budget basics, investing in your future, how to be a savvy home seller, and avoiding fraud. 

 SPIRE President/CEO Dan Stoltz shared during the business meeting portion how SPIRE is growing six times faster than the national average with continued record loan and asset growth.  SPIRE was also recognized nationally for its lending practices, marketing, and work in combating financial crimes. SPIRE Board Chair Tom Heinzen echoed Stoltz's remarks stating, "by nearly every measure, 2018 was the best year in SPIRE's 85year history." 
 
Stoltz also introduced the new SPIRE Visa®& Debit Credit card program.  The new vertical designs will include enhanced security features and account benefits.  With every purchase made with a SPIRE Visa Credit card, SPIRE will give .25% to one of six partner charities. Members will get to select which of the six organizations will benefit from their purchases. 

Attendees of the Annual Meeting & Member Appreciation Day were encouraged to bring food to benefit People Reaching Out to People (PROP) Food Shelf. 1,000 pounds of food and additional cash donations provided over 830 meals - sustaining the food shelf for an entire day!  Guests also had the opportunity to purchase candy bars as part of the SPIRE Give Back Team's yearlong initiative to raise money for Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare. $750 was raised and will be sent to Gillette!  
 
The event concluded with each registered attendee receiving $25.  "As we celebrate our 85th year, I am not only proud of the service we provide our member/owners, but also the ever-increasing commitment to giving back to the communities we serve," states Dan Stoltz, "I look forward to seeing the impact we will have over the next 85 years!" 

About SPIRE Credit Union: A full-service financial institution, proudly serving Minnesota and Wisconsin residents since 1934. SPIRE is committed to providing smart products, great rates and excellent service with a goal to improve the financial lives for both personal and business members. SPIRE has 18 branches across the metro and throughout northern Minnesota.  To learn more about SPIRE, please visit www.myspire.com.