2011 Alliant Civic Affairs Programs Assist Charities and Communities

02/10/2012 • Civic Affairs

Established in 2004 to formalize Alliant Credit Union's commitment to community service and charitable causes, the Civic Affairs Committee now consists of some 25 dedicated Alliant employees who volunteer their time and talents to an array of programs and events that assist others. In 2011 Civic Affairs once again carried out its mission to provide opportunities for the credit union and its employees to give back to the community...making a difference through charitable programs and employee volunteerism. During the year, Civic Affairs planned and coordinated nearly 20 helpful initiatives for worthy causes that support needs related to education, financial literacy healthcare, poverty, and more.

Operation HOPE Financial Literacy Program
2011 Civic Affairs activities started with coordinating the first of many financial literacy schedules taught at public schools in the Chicago area by Alliant volunteers. These employees conducted the "Banking on Our Future" program developed by Operation HOPE, a national organization dedicated to financial literacy and economic empowerment. This marked the beginning of an active year of philanthropic programs and events coordinated by Alliant's Civic Affairs Committee.

In March, Civic Affairs partnered with Alliant's Employee Events Committee to sponsor March Madness Chili Day, a basketball themed charity event. Over $1,750 was contributed to Special Olympics by Alliant employees through chili lunch and raffle ticket donations. Special Olympics programs provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

"Spring Fling" Clothing Drive 
During April, Chicago area employees participated in Alliant's 4th Annual Spring Fling Clothing Drive. They contributed hundreds of gently used clothing items, which were donated to the National Children's Cancer Society.

"Y-Me" Breast Cancer Race
On Mother's Day, over 30 Alliant employees helped raise nearly $4,000 by volunteering for the Y-Me Race in Chicago, which supports those affected by breast cancer. Alliant Credit Union Foundation donated $100 on behalf of each Alliant employee participant. Alliant employees donated an additional $700 by purchasing Y-Me Race backpacks.

Several of Alliant's Y-Me Race volunteers assemble at the Grant Park, Chicago race site. (Left to right) Kevin Daly, Cindy Valenzuela, Angelica Garcia, Sandy Beckman, Deb Transier and Albert Obay. They were among 30 people from the credit union to raise money for the Y-Me charity as part of the United in Pink (United Airlines) team.

Fire Truck Pull
In mid May, 30 Alliant volunteers along with the Des Plaines, Illinois Fire Department and other local organizations, helped raise money for charity by participating in a Fire Truck Pull. Two Alliant teams of 15 employees each pulled a 40-ton fire truck across a parking lot at a location near Alliant headquarters. Alliant's Foundation donated $50 on behalf of each Alliant volunteer, totaling $1,500 to benefit seriously ill children.

Prescott Service Day
Some 20 Alliant employees, friends and family volunteered for the 3rd Annual Prescott Service Day. They painted, planted and participated in other beautification projects at Prescott Elementary, Alliant's partner in the Chicago Public Schools Corporate Partnership program. Civic Affairs not only coordinated Alliant volunteer participation, but provided a free lunch for all Alliant, Prescott and other Service Day volunteers.

Janet Meinheit, Co-Coordinator for this Civic Affairs initiative, poses while painting stairway railings at Prescott School.

Bob Panzino Golf Outing for Pediatric Cancer
Over 30 participating Alliant employees, Civic Affairs and Alliant's Foundation combined to contribute nearly $7,000 to this charitable event, which benefits the 
Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

Employee Charity Volleyball Tournament
Along with co-sponsor, Employee Events Committee, Civic Affairs coordinated Alliant's 6th Annual Employee Volleyball Tournament. Employees contributed nearly $5,000 in team T-shirt and raffle ticket donations. The money was raised to help the Burbank, Illinois School District Athletic Department provide team uniforms and equipment.

Two teams compete during the 6th Annual Alliant Employee Volleyball Tournament. The event raised money for Burbank, IL Schools Athletics Department

School Supplies Drive for Armour Elementary
In another initiative coordinated by Civic Affairs, students of Armour Elementary in Chicago received school supplies for the year on the first day of school. The supplies, including pens, pencils, crayons, glue, notebooks, folders and more, were purchased by Alliant employees and Civic Affairs. The students also received book bags, purchased by Alliant's Foundation at a steep discount offered by High Sierra Sport Company.

Alliant President & CEO David Mooney hands out school supplies-filled book bags to Armour School students on the first day of class.

"Plane Pull" for Special Olympics
On September 24th, two Alliant teams of 20 employees each participated in the 2011 Plane Pull to benefit Special Olympics Illinois, held at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. The Alliant teams competed among 25 others from Chicago area public safety, service and business communities by pulling a 99-ton UPS cargo aircraft in a tug-of-war style event. Alliant's Foundation donated $2,000 to Special Olympics on behalf of Alliant's employee volunteers.

Alliant volunteers pull a UPS cargo jet toward the finish line at the 3rd Annual Plane Pull for Special Olympics.

"Stuff for the Poor" Shoe Drive
Civic Affairs sponsored Alliant's 2nd Annual Shoe Drive during October to help provide shoes to people in Africa. During this very successful program, many generous, thoughtful Alliant employees donated new or gently used shoes that were given to Stuff for the Poor, a charity that assists people in developing countries.

March of Dimes "Blue Jeans for Babies Day"
Over 100 Alliant employees donated $5 or more to wear blue jeans to work on November 17th, taking part in the annual March of Dimes "Blue Jeans for Babies" Day. Alliant's Foundation matched employee donations, raised nearly $1,150 to help prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

Holiday Food Drive
Civic Affairs coordinated Alliant's Annual Holiday Food Drive. Employees contributed food, household supplies and money for the Maine Township Food Pantry serving Des Plaines, Illinois and other northwest suburban Chicago communities. In addition, Alliant's Foundation contributed $500 to the food pantry to purchase food and supplies for those in need.

Alliant Civic Affairs Food Drive Coordinator Colleen Panzino (center) is flanked by the Food Pantry reps. Also from Alliant: Rob Russell (far left) with Sandy Beckman; Sherry Allen (far right) with Angelica Garcia.

United Airlines "Fantasy Flights"
Alliant Credit Union employee volunteers provided assistance to United Airlines Fantasy Flights held during December at major airports across the country. Coordinated by employees of the airline, the Fantasy Flights provided a joyous holiday experience for many seriously ill or disadvantaged children and people with disabilities. Civic Affairs coordinated Alliant volunteer decorating activities at O'Hare Airport and assisted with decorating and promotional expenses in various markets. Meanwhile, Alliant's Foundation made $1,500 Fantasy Flight grants to 8 Fantasy Flights held in markets that include Alliant locations.

Dulles Service Center employees (L to R) Branch Manager Isabel Hidalgo, Patricia Tadjdeh and Marina Kharel volunteer at Dulles Airport Fantasy Flight near Washington, DC. They handed out toys purchased with funds provided by Civic Affairs.

Education Award Programs
Civic Affairs, in conjunction with Alliant's Marketing Department, conducted two annual programs that provide education related awards to young members of the credit union.
Alliant's Member Scholarship Program awards five, $2,000 scholarships to Alliant member students enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program at a college, university or vocational/technical institution. Contest entry materials include school transcripts, extracurricular activities and an essay about belonging to Alliant Credit Union.
Alliant's National Education Program awards over $5,000 in computer gift certificates to young Alliant members. In all, nine gift certificates are given to students in three age groups. Entrants use any media they desire to describe what they want to be when they grow up and how a computer can enrich their education

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