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'Go-Givers' target food and housing insecurity

| October 9, 2021 1:00 AM

Horizon Credit Union closed for the afternoon on Tuesday, Sept. 21, for the fourth annual Go. Give. Grow. company-wide community service event.

"We originally designed Go. Give. Grow. Day as a one-time event to make a big impact," Jeff Adams, Horizon Credit Union CEO/president, said. "But it was so popular with our team and it aligned with our values so well, we decided to make it an annual tradition."

At Horizon's largest community outreach event of the year, employees volunteered a total of 1,280 hours for 25 organizations that make an impact on food and housing insecurity in Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon. 

Together, over 300 HZCU Go-Givers — including a number in Bonner County —volunteered for local food and clothing banks, housing facilities and community action organizations.

This company-wide community service event brought employees, leaders and board members together to volunteer as a team.

Employees volunteered in person and remotely for organizations that impact food and housing insecurity.

They sorted, moved, packed and bagged over 52,000 pounds of food, sorted and organized 900 pounds of clothing, deep cleaned 8 facilities, completed 7 painting projects and led activities for 2 youth organizations. 

There were also landscaping projects to tackle including playground clean-up, tree trimming and yard care at low income housing communities. 

Those employees that chose to participate remotely stuffed 7,200 envelopes, assembled 3,200 hygiene/snack/care kits and made 1,000 encouraging cards for isolated seniors and families who have a child in the hospital. 

In addition to volunteering, Horizon also made monetary donations to these organizations totaling $25,000.

Making a difference is not just a one day event at Horizon, credit union officials said in a press release. Volunteering and contributing to the community is an integral part of Horizon's mission.

Each employee is given up to 24 hours of paid volunteer time to use during work hours each year. Many employees also volunteer outside of work hours on their own time.

Horizon Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative with roots in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Founded in 1947 as a member-owned credit union, Horizon now serves over 105,000 members with 28 branch locations across four states.