Coffee BreakCommunityNewsJanuary 3, 2018

GLCU is delighted to announce that our Random Acts of Kindness initiative is back for 2017!

Throughout the entire year, employees at GLCU branches will go out of their way to complete various random acts of kindness as a way to give back and to connect to our communities.

In 2016, our staff paid it forward to more than 900 people within our branch communities. The 2016 Random Acts of Kindness consisted of everything from handing out gift cards for free lunches, flowers, car washes, and so much more! 

1. Our first Random Act of Kindness for 2017 took place on Saturday, February 25, 2017. GLCU’s North Chicago employees stopped in at Nice Dogs for Nice Families  to say hello to several adoptable pets. During the visit, they also donated to this rescue, located in Lake Bluff.
2. On Thursday, March 16, 2017, GLCU’s Naperville employees visited Edwards Hospital in Naperville and donated games, coloring books, markers and more for the children at the hospital. 
3. On Friday, March 24, 2017, GLCU's North Chicago employees handed out McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts gift cards to their members who visited their branch.
4. Oak Lawn employees purchased 50 gifts cards and gave them out at the Advocate Children's Hospital on Tuesday, March 28, 2017. Advocate Children's Hospital provide comprehensive resources that help address the emotional, physical, mental and spiritual aspects of healing.
5. Waukegan employees gave out Dunkin Donuts gift cards to members who came into their branch on Thursday, March 30, 2017.
6. GLCU's Chicago employees completed their random act of kindness on Friday, March 31, 2017 by gifting members who visited the credit union a gift card to Potbelly Sandwich Shop.
7. Dunkin Dounts gift cards were handed out by GLCU's Oak Lawn employees to members who stopped in the branch on Friday, March 31, 2017. 
8. Members of GLCU's Bolingbrook branch were surprised on Friday, March 31, 2017 as they received Starbucks gift cards as they entered the branch.
9. GLCU's Naperville employees helped fill the wish list of Naperville Senior Center on Friday, March 31, 2017 by providing them with bowls, silverware, search puzzles, zip-lock bags, glue sticks, dry erase markers, and much more.
10. A donation was made to Homewood-Flossmoor Park District's Park Pride Day on April 6, 2017 from GLCU's Country Club Hills employees. The donation will be used to help spruce up the 35 local parks and help feed over 450 volunteers who help keep up the maintenance of the parks during the event.
11. On Thursday, April 20, 2017, Woodstock employees donated women’s clothing to the Pioneer Center for Human Services. The Pioneer Center for Human Services utilizes its programs to engage people of all abilities through innovative and compassionate services.
12. North Chicago employees were excited to donate to Furthering the Lives of Youth event on Friday, April 21, 2017. The event will take place in July and will be a safe, fun, interactive, and free event for the children around the community.
13. Gurnee employees surprised 30 members on Saturday, April 22, 2017 with Wendy’s and Portillo’s gift cards.
14. GLCU’s Woodstock branch completed their second random act of kindness this quarter on Thursday, May 4, 2017 by donating to Misericordia Heart of Mercy. GLCU Woodstock Teller, Katherine Salas, stated, “We are excited to extend a helping hand and to know our donation will assist the Misericordia Candy Days initiative. We hope this act of kindness raises awareness for the organization.”
15. On Thursday May 11, 2017, the Willow Springs branch handed out cookies and creative handmade flowers to mother or to husbands and children to give to their mother for Mother’s Day.
16. On Friday, May 12, 2017, GLCU’s Naperville branch handed out Starbucks, Buena, Chipotle and Tom and Eddies gift cards to members. In addition to this, they raffled off four stuffed owls that were displayed during April for Youth Savings Month. They also put out popcorn, cookies and water bottles for members.
17. GLCU’s Zion branch performed a random act of kindness on Friday, May 12, 2017 by giving out gift cards and carnations to their members for Mother’s Day. Lissette Colin, GLCU’s Zion Branch Manager, stated, “We were so happy to be able to celebrate mother’s day and give something back to the mothers of our branch”.
18. On Friday, May 12, 2017, GLCU's Gurnee branch employees gave out carnations out to members in celebration of Mother's Day.
19. On Saturday, May 13, 2017, GLCU's Waukegan employees gave carnations out at their branch for Mother's Day.
20. On Saturday, May 20, 2017, GLCU’s Round Lake Beach branch donated to Caleb’s Crusaders Team through Great Strides. This donation will help raise awareness and fund research that will lead to a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.
21. Waukegan branch went to their local Dollar Tree and Ace Hardware and bought the shoppers their items on Monday, May 22, 2017.
22. Chicago employees went out of their way to donated Potbelly Sandwich Shop gift cards to members who came to their branch on Monday, May 26, 2017.
23. On Saturday, June 3, 2017, GLCU's Bolingbrook branch gave away 28 "Cavalcade of Planes" admission tickets at the Bolingbrook airport.
24. The Gurnee branch participated in a random act of kindness at Einstein Bros Bagels on Monday, June 5, 2017. The Gurnee employees bought patrons’ orders as they came in during the morning rush.
25. GLCU’s North Chicago branch went to 5 Points Restaurant in North Chicago and bought gift cards for 50 of their customers on Thursday, June 8, 2017. Leilani Goldsmith, GLCU’s North Chicago Branch Manager commented, “The owner of 5 Points Restaurant was happy we were able to help put a smile on his customers’ faces”.
26. On Saturday, June 17, 2017, Crystal Lake branch visited Kaleidoscopes Ice Cream, Sports & Gifts and surprised some lucky customers buy purchasing their order.
27. During Nostalgia days on Saturday, June 17, 2017, Zion employees handed out $5 coupon for local food vendors.
28. On Friday, June 23, 2017, Oak Lawn employees gave out Red Robin gift cards to members who came into their branch.
29. Naperville employees donated clothing, kitchen items, shampoo and body wash to Second Chance Resale Shop on Tuesday, June 27, 2017. The Second Chance Resale Shops are owned by Family Shelter Service, which provide help and hope to victims of domestic violence and their families.
30. Bolingbrook employees supported the Goodwill Mission and Friends of the Fountaindale Public Library on Tuesday, June 27, 2017. The Friends of Fountaindale Library is an organization that helps provide the library with equipment, services, and other materials.
31. On Tuesday, June 27, 2017, GLCU's Waukegan branch donated to COOL Food Pantry. The COOL Food Pantries bring more than 4,000 individuals food every month.
32. The Oak Lawn branch went out of their way to provided lunch for three fire firefighter stations in Oak Lawn on Friday, June 28, 2017.
33. On Saturday, July 1, 2017, Great Lakes Credit Union's Gurnee branch went out of their way and donated Portillo's gift cards to members who stopped in their branch.
34. On Friday, July 7, 2017 GLCU's Chicago branch donated backpacks to the Illinois Backpack Drive benefiting Victims of Human Trafficking.
35. Great Lakes Credit Union's Waukegan branch surprised a lucky member with $150 as a random act of kindness.
36. On Tuesday, July 25, 2017, Great Lakes Credit Union’s Country Club Hills Branch made a generous donation to Tru Vision Productions, NFP. Tru Vision Productions, NFP is a non-for-profit that provides programs for at-risk kids ages 12 to 18 in communities throughout Chicago and the South Suburbs.
37. GLCU’s Antioch branch provided school supplies to the 8^th Annual Book Bag Give-Away event in Kenosha, WI on Friday, August 18, 2017.
38. On August 18, 2017, Great Lakes Credit Union's Zion branch participated in a local, back to school event hosted by community leaders for underprivileged families.
39. Bolingbrook branch completed a random act of kindness and donated school supplies to Kiddie Academy on Tuesday, August 29. At Kiddie Academy, they strive to feed your child's curiosity and instinct to learn with days filled with age-appropriate activities designed to treat every experience as an opportunity to learn.
40. The Gurnee branch bought 50 lucky people's tickets as they were walking into the movie theater on Tuesday, August 29, 2017.
41. In honor and remembrance of September 11, GLCU Crystal Lake branch surprised everyone who walked into their branch with a gift card. The small token of kindness brought many smiles and appreciation.
42. GLCU's Crystal Lake branch donation to the Senior Care Volunteer Network on Tuesday, September 12, 2017. The Senior Care Volunteer Network mission is to help seniors maintain their independence, dignity and quality of life by remaining in their own homes or the home of a loved one for as long as possible.
43. The Waukegan Branch went out of their way and adopted a class in Texas who were from Kenneth Murphy Elementary School who were affected by Hurricane Harvey.
44. On Thursday, September 28, 2017 Great Lakes Credit Union’s North Chicago branch supplied breakfast for 40 unsuspecting Dunkin’ Donuts customers as a random act of kindness. They also gave out 16 Dunkin’ Donuts gift cards to members who visited their branch.
45. GLCU’s Woodstock employees conducted a random act of kindness to 25 members who came into their branch on Friday, September 29, 2017. Visitors were surprised with a gift card to Subway, Regal Cinema, or Jewel Osco.
46. On Saturday, October 7, 2017, GLCU's Round Lake Beach and Antioch branch teamed up to support La Casa Puertorriquena. La Casa Puertorriquena is an origination trying to help to rebuild Puerto Rico from the damage caused by Hurricane Maria.
47. GLCU's North Chicago branch donated candy to the Community Harvest for a Halloween Lake County Event on Thursday, October 19, 2017. They will be distributing out candy throughout the community for Halloween.
48. Gurnee employees took some time and helped Aid for Women of Lake County on Friday, October 27, 2017. Aid for Women helps thousands of women each year with emotional, practical and spiritual support when facing an unexpected or difficult pregnancy.
49. On Friday, October 27, 2017, Naperville donated dog treats, dog food, cat food, paper towels, and much more to the Naperville Area Humane Society. The Naperville Humane Society provides shelter and adoption programs for homeless animals.
50. Woodstock branch handed out $10.00 to 25 random customers going into Jewel-Osco on Friday, November 17, 2017. While giving the money away they talked with the shoppers about GLCU's products and services.
51. On Tuesday, November 21, 2017, Gurnee employees gave away Portillo's gift cards to 25 lucky members who walked into their branch.
52. Crystal Lake branch donated to a local restaurant, which is organizing a Christmas Day dinner for homeless veterans, single parents, and families who don't have the means to provide a meal on Friday, December 15, 2017.
53. The Waukegan branch went out of their way and donated to Open Arms Mission on Monday, December 18, 2017. Open Arms Mission is a local non-profit organization that relies on donations from local businesses, churches civic organizations, corporate partners, grants, individual giving, matching funds and schools. Waukegan employees also adopted two children for Christmas.

Get Involved!

You could be the next best thing that has happened to someone you know or better yet, someone you don’t know. There are many small things you can do to show kindness:  

• Take 5 seconds to support a young person’s dream
• Find opportunities to give compliments
• Say “thank you” to someone who made a difference
• Give positive notes to someone you don’t know
• Invite someone to dinner

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