Credit union campaign provides more than 2,000 for families

METRO DETROIT — Many families had a happier Thanksgiving thanks to Genisys Credit Union hosting a campaign to purchase more than 2,000 turkeys.

Credit union employees raised donations for Lighthouse of Oakland County’s annual Thanks and Giving campaign. 

“As we enter the holiday season, I am grateful for the generosity of the Genisys team,” Jackie Buchanan, the president and CEO of Genisys Credit Union said in a press release. “Lighthouse stands as a beacon of hope for our neighbors by providing essential resources. We are thankful to provide our support as they further their mission of alleviating poverty and ending homelessness.”

The team at Genisys raised funds through an employee match campaign. Funds raised were doubled by Meijer as part of their Simply Give program, which allowed for the turkeys to be purchased. Meijer started their Simply Give program in 2008 to help food pantries fulfill their mission of feeding those struggling with food insecurity. 

"Our Thanksgiving program has been a cornerstone at Lighthouse for many years, and we are proud to provide so many holiday meals to those in need,” Ryan Hertz, Lighthouse President & CEO said in a press release. “Our partnership with Genisys Credit Union has been invaluable, and we deeply appreciate their dedication to volunteering and fundraising, which has been instrumental in supplying 2,300 turkeys for this year's food boxes." 

In addition to their financial contribution, the credit union staff volunteered their time over two days to help pack Thanksgiving food boxes. This included unloading, sorting, and organizing donations and packing boxes, which will provide a full Thanksgiving meal to local families this year.