They say co-operatives have helped to build our strong and prosperous nation. To honour the contributions of co-operatives, including credit unions, we celebrate Co-op Week. The week leads up to a very special day that has been celebrated on the third Thursday of October since 1948 - International Credit Union Day. It hasn’t always been celebrated in October, though. The first Credit Union Day was celebrated on January 17, 1927, by the Credit Union League of Massachusetts. However, the tradition was forgotten, only to be revived nearly two decades later by the U.S. Credit Union National Association (CUNA). Today, the whole world celebrates it on the third Thursday of October. In 2022, International Credit Union Day falls on the 20th of October.
Why do credit unions need to be celebrated, you ask? Because they are a shining example that money can be communal, that we can look out for each other and still make a profit. The concept of a credit union in our society is both simple and revolutionary: members pooling together funds to allow others to borrow money (loans and mortgages for example) from the pooled amount. At its very core, a credit union runs on the principle that we must look out for each other, that we can thrive when we help each other. That brings us back to the answer to why credit unions must be celebrated - because they remind us of the importance of a greater good.
As a credit union ourselves, International Credit Union Day is truly a special day for all of us at Innovation. And what better way to celebrate than giving back? In true Innovation fashion, the highlight of our International Credit Union Day celebrations is to make a positive difference by giving back to those in need. We will be sponsoring five meal programs across the communities we serve: Meadow Lake, North Battleford, Regina, Saskatoon, and Swift Current.
Meadow Lake Outreach Ministries
The Door of Hope
"The Door of Hope is more than just a drop in center and soup kitchen, it is a community. We celebrate together, we grieve together, we encourage and care for one another."
BGC Battlefords
"BGC Battlefords welcomes all children and youth between 5-14 years of age from the community and surrounding areas, including all financial circumstances, socio-ethnic backgrounds, and abilities. It provides a safe place to go, positive role models, and quality recreational and educational activities."
Souls Harbour Rescue Mission
Souls Harbour Rescue Mission Website
"Our mission is to rescue people from poverty and addiction by offering emergency help, such as food, clothing, shelter, and Life Changing Recovery Programs."
The Salvation Army Swift Current
"The Salvation Army exists to meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world."
The Salvation Army Saskatoon
The Salvation Army Saskatoon Website
"The Salvation Army in Saskatoon offers practical assistance and programs for families and children in need; including Christmas hampers, school feeding programs, sending children to summer camp, budget management assistance for people struggling to manage their finances, soup kitchen and residential services for people struggling to find consistent housing, and rehabilitation for people living with addictions."