Each year Travis Credit Union helps the working poor, seniors, single parents and homeless in Solano County through its annual food drive. Credit union employees, members and the general public are encouraged to bring non-perishable foods to all Travis Credit Union branches in Solano and Contra Costa counties through Jan. 31, 2012. Specially printed grocery bags for the drive will be inserted in several local papers including the Dixon Tribune, Fairfield Daily Republic, Contra Costa Times, East County Times and the Vacaville Reporter. Donations will go directly to the Food Bank of Solano and Contra Costa will be distributed in the counties in which they’re received.
Another way Travis Credit Union is helping others this holiday season is through the 2011 Children’s Miracle Network Holiday Stocking Campaign. Travis Credit Union employees and members can purchase and sign as many paper stockings as they want for $1 each to support the health needs of children. The stockings are available for sale and will be displayed at Travis Credit Union branches from through Dec. 24. Proceeds from this year’s campaign go to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento and Valley Children’s Hospital Central California in Madera County. Last year, members and employees donated more than $6,200.
Additionally, Travis Credit Union has been the No. 1 corporate sponsor for the Christmas Wish program for the past 10 years. In 2010, through chili cook-offs, an online auction and a bake sale, employees raised more than $8,000 and donated 345 gifts to the program. This year, employees are determined to match or beat that donation. Their generous giving ensures that less fortunate children are granted the one wish that they have made for Christmas.
How does it work? Children place their wishes on ornaments so that sponsors may buy an appropriate gift for them. Sponsors may also make a cash donation to be used to purchase gifts. This year, Travis Credit Union will again help children on AFDC/Cal Works, which includes local children of the working poor as well as foster children.
This is the eighth year that TCU has participated in the Festival of Trees, which benefits The Opportunity House. What started out as a labor of love years ago has become a special holiday tradition in the Vacaville community, one that represents families, fun, giving and the spirit of the holidays. Churches, businesses, organizations and individuals working together for a common cause have made this all-volunteer-supported festival – the shelter’s primary fundraiser – extremely successful. Each year the festival presents a forest of beautiful Christmas trees, which are auctioned off to the highest bidder. This year will feature 95 elaborately decorated trees, each with its unique theme. TCU donated a themed tree entitled Enchanted Forest for auction.
On Nov. 17, employees raised more than $1,000 for the Heather House Homeless Shelter at their sixth annual Employee Craft Fair. The public was invited to browse through unique, handmade items crafted by talented TCU employees and to enjoy a light dinner of hamburgers and hot dogs. Many beautiful items were raffled off, and proceeds benefited the Heather House directly.
To show respect and appreciation, employees will be coming together with the community to honor our fallen veterans at the annual wreath laying event in Dixon on Dec. 10.
“Through these programs and others like them, we are reaching out to people in need,” said Patsy Van Ouwerkerk, president and CEO of Travis Credit Union. “We are proud to be helping the community and at the same time making a difference in people’s lives.”
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