It was more than a typical meeting of the membership on May 14 when nearly 200 guests gathered at The Paramount Theatre in Rutland, VT for a festive evening filled with nostalgia, giveaways, and plenty of fanfare as Heritage Family Credit Union (HFCU) celebrated 70 years of serving its members.
“As we mark this very special occasion, let’s be sure to celebrate each other and remember how fortunate we all are to be part of a financial cooperative that has been moving mountains for its members and local communities since 1956,” said Paul W. Carroccio, Chair of the HFCU Board of Directors. “Whether you’re a board member or a staff member, a volunteer, or someone living in our local community, you are the heartbeat of Heritage Family and made this moment possible.”
Heritage Family’s story began back in 1956 when 57 GE employees came together in Ludlow, VT to form the Ludlow-Rutland General Electric Employees’ Credit Union. What started with $800 in deposits in its first month has become an $800 million credit union with more than 50,000 members and 11 locations in three states. Although much has changed in the last seven decades including the Credit Union’s name and scope of service, Heritage Family’s focus remains the same – serving its members and answering the needs of local communities.
During the anniversary celebration, HFCU inaugurated The Dick & Avis Addison Award for Volunteerism, which Heritage Family established in honor of its namesakes and first recipients for their many years of dedicated service to the Credit Union in Bennington, VT and beyond. Other highlights from the evening included a commemorative video showing Heritage Family’s evolution during its first 70 years, an after-party catered by Roots the Restaurant, and a special check presentation where five nonprofits from the Credit Union’s field of membership each received a $5,000 grant from the Heritage Family Cares 4 You Foundation. Those grant recipients include the Bennington Theater in Bennington, VT; Create Together in Ludlow, VT; Smokey House in Danby, VT; The Mentor Connector in Rutland, VT; and Neighborhood Connections in Londonderry, VT.
“Every year at our annual meeting, members are reminded that their voice is the only one that matters and how it’s their commitment to our Credit Union and one another that fills their lives and local communities with so many possibilities,” said Chris Gomez, CEO of Heritage Family Credit Union. “As we celebrate our 70th anniversary, we thank our members – past, present, and future – for the unwavering commitment that has made Heritage Family a beacon of financial opportunities for seven decades and will continue to for many more years to come.”
Established in 1956, Heritage Family Credit Union (HFCU) is a member-owned, member-first, not-for-profit cooperative offering a full-range of financial services with locations serving Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, and Massachusetts. HFCU financially empowers individuals and businesses by providing exceptional member experiences, innovative technology, and tailored solutions all while supporting local communities through a variety of philanthropic activities. Learn more at www.hfcuvt.com.