For Educational Systems Federal Credit Union ($788.6B, Greenbelt, MD) serving the education community is not just a way of doing business, it’s a commitment to the credit union’s mantra of Support Education. That’s why supporting 156 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country through the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run, while fulfilling that commitment, is viewed as a win-win for the credit union.
For us, it’s an honor to participate in the Cherry Blossom Run, says Chris Conway, president and CEO of Educational Systems FCU. On race day, members of the education community and our employees can be found wearing our bright yellow Support Education shirts crossing the finish lines as well as volunteering at water stops, refreshment tables, and mile markers.
For 13 years, Educational Systems FCU has supported the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run. The credit union sponsors student athletes, as well as other members of the education community including educators, administrators, and support staff in the race. In 2015, the credit union surpassed previous years’ participation by sponsoring a total of 70 runners, including 16 student athletes in the Ten Mile Run and 54 individuals in the 5K Run-Walk.
Educational Systems FCU sponsored 16 runners in the Ten Mile Run and 54 individuals in the 5K Run-Walk.
One of the four Support Education teams entered in the Ten Mile Run by Educational Systems FCU was composed entirely of millennials from Calvert County’s Patuxent High School. Additionally, the credit union’s employees raised more than $5,500 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
The race attracts thousands of young runners; in 2015, 35% were ages 25-34.
The credit union’sSupport Education effort is focused on serving millennials , as well as the next generation, in the workforce. In 2015, the credit union hosted more than 50 financial education seminars for students and new educators in the seven county school systems and three community colleges it serves.Through programs such as FoolProof and the Credit Union Foundation of MD|DC’s Millionaire’s Club, the Maryland credit union also provides financial education resources to high school and community college students.
Each year, Educational Systems FCU grants over $10,000 in professional development awards to educators and over $33,000 in scholarships to high school seniors and community college students, Conway says. We are proud to help millennials achieve their education goals.
Patuxent High School students ran the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Race as one of four Support Education teams sponsored by Educational Systems FCU.
Through a Family of Races including the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run in Washington DC credit unions and partners nationwide have united to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network alliance of premier hospitals for children. To date, more than $7 million has been donated to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in local communities all across the nation. Donations from credit unions go back to local children’s hospitals where children benefit from state-of-the-art research treatment, and care. The other races are the Credit Union SacTown Ten-Mile Run in California and two Freedom Runs for our troops overseas.
The Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run will be held Sunday, April 3, 2016, at the Washington Monument grounds in Washington, DC where more than 15,000 runners are expected to participate in the races. For more information on how your credit union or business can participate, contact Sarah Turner at info@miracleday.org.
Educational Systems FCU (esfcu.org) has proudly served the education community for 60 years. With $800 million in assets and 12 branches, the credit union serves 87,000 members in seven school systems and three community colleges throughout Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s and Talbot counties in Maryland.
Chris Conway is the president and CEO of Educational Systems Federal Credit Union and has more than 25 years of experience in the credit union industry. He has held leadership roles while serving on the board of directors of the MD|DC Credit Union Association, the Education Credit Union Council (ECUC), and the Credit Union Services Inc. (CUSI), a for-profit corporation owned by the MD|DC Credit Union Association. Conway is also a member of the Metropolitan Area Credit Union Managers Association (MACUMA) and has competed in the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run.