Neighbors employees participated in the Denham Springs and Central Christmas Parades this year.  As usual, it was a resounding success.  Nate The Squirrel as well as the Marketing, Central, and Denham Springs staff threw beads, cups, and candy to onlookers during this exciting tradition for these communities.

Nate The Squirrel poses with NFCU employees at Central Christmas Parade

Neighbors hosted a Christmas party for The Haven Assisted Living Center.  Neighbors employees brought refreshments, sang Christmas carols, and visited with the residents.  Also in attendance was Nate The Squirrel and Santa Claus who came to spread holiday cheer.  

Neighbors was a chief sponsor for Pat’s Coats For Kids.  This program provides underprivileged children in the Greater Baton Rouge area with coats throughout the winter season.  All seven Neighbors branches were used as drop-off points for anyone wishing to donate coats or monetary contributions.  Neighbors’ very own mascot, Nate The Squirrel, was featured on WBRZ’s news broadcasts in order to drum up support for this program.

WBRZ Weatherman Pat Shingleton with Nate The Squirrel

Neighbors continues its dedication to financial literacy by providing financial education classes to area elementary, middle, and high schools.  Students learn all about money, the importance of saving, as well as check writing, and credit scores for older groups.  If interested in this program for your child’s school, contact Joni Herrmann at 225-819-5748.

Joni Herrmann and Nate The Squirrel at 7th Ward Elementary School in Denham Springs

Neighbors was a sponsor for the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program in Livingston Parish providing t-shirts and refreshments for all participating students.  Neighbors understands how important education programs such as these are to area youth.  It’s just another way Neighbors is making a difference in our community.

DARE students show off their “NEIGHBORS WANTS YOU TO BE DRUG FREE” t-shirts with Darlene Shingleur

Neighbors FCU participated in Financial Women International’s annual golf tournament.  Greystone Golf Club in Denham Springs.  FWI is an organization that is dedicated to helping women in the financial services field to become effective leaders in their industry. 

Pictured: (from left) VP Business Services Eddie Vollenweider, President/CEO Kathi Gill, SVP Human Resources Dan Robichaux, Chief Operations Officer Steve Webb

Several Neighbors employees participated in the Big Buddy Program donating their time to help Baton Rouge youth gain a positive role model.  The participants took their “little buddies” to work where they were able to meet other Neighbors employees and enjoy a surprise visit by Nate the Squirrel.

Pictured:  CEO Kathi Gill, Nate the Squirrel, and the Little Buddies!

Neighbors and the Catholic Diocese have been partners for over twenty years.  Neighbors is an annual sponsor for this conference which provides training for the Diocese’s 1,500 employees.  This year, we introduced Nate to the educators in an effort to promote financial education in the classrooms for all ages.  Our Public Relations Officer, Joni Herrmann has worked on the planning committee securing donations from outside vendors over the years.

Pictured:  Nate the Squirrel

There was cause for celebration in Zachary as Neighbors FCU began providing business loan services with our first business members, Dennis and Jackie Jones.  They are the owners of Tri-State Towing and Recovery, L.L.C.  The addition of Business Loan Services is just another way Neighbors FCU is striving to meet all of our members financial needs.



 

Pictured:  CEO Kathi Gill, Business Development Officer Darlene Shingleur, Jackie Jones, Dennis Jones, Business Services Manager Eddie Vollenweider

Member Appreciation Week was a fun-filled event for both members and staff.  This is just another way that Neighbors FCU says, “Thank You” to all of our members. 

NFCU is presented with the 2008 Baton Rouge “March for Babies” Banquet Sponsorship Award by Stacey Parker of the March of Dimes Foundation.  The March of Dimes is just one of many community organizations in which Neighbors is actively involved.

Pictured:  Stacey Parker, Darlene Shingleur

Neighbors FCU Public Relations Officer Joni Herrmann, introduced our new mascot, Nate the Squirrel to the school board.  Nate will help with Neighbors on-going commitment to providing financial literacy to the children of Baton Rouge.  Coloring books and activity sheets were shared with Board Members and the Superintendent.

Nate meets the school board

Neighbors FCU was honored by the Louisiana Credit Union League for outstanding member service in its branches.  The awards were presented in an awards banquet in New Orleans where once again the Neighbors team has been recognized for providing the “Neighbors Way” service our members have come to expect.

Pictured:  Joni Holoway, Trisha Prilleux, Michelle Sziber, Karen Thompson

Financial Women International is an organization dedicated to helping women in the banking and financial services industry become effective leaders in their field.  Numerous NFCU employees have become active members of this organization, constantly pursuing excellence in their field. 

Pictured:  Cindy Dedeaux, Karen Thompson, Darlene Shingleur, Pammi Bains, Jean Floyd

Neighbors FCU sponsored the Lee High School “Back to School Bash” in order to promote the Patriot Branch.  The Patriot Branch is located in the school, uses student employees, and allows students and teachers access to financial services on campus.   

By providing an opportunity to maintain their very first account, students can learn financial management skills to help them in their future.  It’s just another way Neighbors Federal Credit Union is actively promoting financial literacy in our community.

Pictured:  Leah Tate

The 17th Annual Baton Rouge Parents Magazine’s “Cover Kids” Event had a special guest this year.  “Nate The Squirrel,” Neighbors FCU’s lovable mascot made his first public appearance at the Baton Rouge River Center.   

The unveiling of Nate was a resounding success as he posed for pictures with area children, distributed educational materials, and generally caused a ruckus everywhere he went.

Pictured:  Nate the Squirrel, Aundriel Potier 

NFCU was a major sponsor of the American Cancer Society’s second annual “Jamaican Me Crazy” event.  Neighbors is proud of its affiliation with the ACS and has earned a “Company of Excellence” designation for mission support through financial contributions, wellness initiatives, and corporate volunteerism.  Our very own Darlene Shingleur serves on the ACS Baton Rouge Area Board.  Other Neighbors employees in attendance included:  Cindy Dedeaux, Monty Buckles, Niya Guidry, Debbie Defew, Karen Thompson, Frances Davis, and Celeste Smith.

Pictured:  Cindy Dedeaux, Karen Thompson 

The Senior Management Team of Neighbors Federal Credit Union graciously lined up in front of an eager firing line of employees armed with water balloons in a “quick-fire” challenge to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Sold for $1 per water balloon, employees purchased over $200 worth in less than 30 minutes for the chance to soak their bosses. Credit Unions in the Baton Rouge Chapter are trying to raise $75,000 to build a home for a family who otherwise could not afford a home of their own.  Fifty percent of this goal is being made by commitments from local credit unions and the remaining will be by credit unions using creative ways to raise money.
 

Neighbors FCU SVP Steve Schexnayder, SVP Dan Robichaux, COO Steve Webb, SVP Jean Floyd and President/CEO Kathi M. Gill “get soaked” for Habitat .

Louisiana Technical College and the JAG Program celebrated the end of the year with a Crawfish Boil on campus. Students and administrators enjoyed a boiled crawfish celebration.  Neighbors Federal Credit Union has provided financial literacy classes as a part of their studies and distributed certificates of completion at their graduation ceremony. Some 30 people attended.  JAG is the Jobs for America’s Graduates Program and is funded by a grant to provide educational opportunities for teens to complete their education and discover a career path. 

 

Joni Herrmann, Neighbors FCU, takes a photo with the LTC JAG Program graduates at their celebratory Crawfish Boil. 

Neighbors FCU employees were on hand to participate in the Denham Springs American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event. Staff members arrived early to help set up for the event and stayed all night helping to raise money for this worthy cause! Over 300 people participated in the event, and raised over $52,000! The proceeds will support American Cancer Society’s efforts to eradicate cancer and educate those afflicted.





 

Neighbors FCU employees with their luminaries at the Denham Springs ACS Relay for Life Event. 

EBR School System held a Job Fair @ Woodlawn High School for new and existing teachers for the 2008-2009 school year.  Neighbors FCU was on hand to educate prospective educators about the benefits of credit union membership. Over 500 people visited our booth over the two-day Job Fair.




 

Joni Herrmann of Neighbors FCU is on hand at the EBR Job Fair for new teachers.

Denham Springs 2008 Relay for Life has started out with a bang.  The Wild Hogs team (Neighbors Federal Credit Union and Walker Wal-Mart are the team corporate sponsors) promoted a motorcycle poker run May 17, 2008.  We raised $1,000.00 in the 1st annual motorcycle poker run.  The route was from Mariners in Port Vincent, Navarro’s Bakery in Springfield, Harley Davidson in Hammond, Livingston Tire and ended up at End of the Line.  Denham Springs Police Chief Jeff Wesley led 42 bikers to the locations to pick up their poker run cards.  One biker stopped at Harley Davidson and bought a bike.  Fire Chief Woody Cutrer cooked Sauce Piquant that was served to the bikers at the last stop.

Bikers await the beginning of the Denham Springs Relay for Life Poker Run that was co-sponsored by Neighbors Federal Credit Union.

The Livingston Parish Police Department escorted the “torch” for the Special Olympics from EBR to the parish line of Tangipahoa.  From there, it would be brought to the Strawberry Field @ Southeastern University for the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics.  These members of the local police departments actually run with the torch as in the Olympics that will begin in August in Beijing. Neighbors FCU presented a donation for their efforts in support of Special Olympics.

 

Michelle Sziber presents a check to Officer Groger for a donation to the Special Olympics.

Neighbors FCU held a contest for an iPod to student members who opened an account at the Patriot Branch before the end of the school year. Cameron was the lucky winner! He works for McDonald’s and opened his account at our Patriot Branch at Lee High School earlier this year!  “I can’t believe I won this. Thank you so much!” was Cameron’s response.  He is very glad he decided to open his account at the Patriot Branch and plans to begin to save money from each of his paychecks.
 

Cindy Dedeaux is pictured with Cameron Coleman, winner of the Lee High iPod contest.

Neighbors FCU employees were on hand to participate in the East Baton Rouge American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event. Staff members arrived early to help set up for the event, served dinner at the Survivor’s Dinner, helped to count money and stayed all night helping to raise money for this worthy cause! Proceeds will support American Cancer Society’s efforts to eradicate cancer and educate those afflicted.

 

Neighbors FCU employees take a break for a photo amidst working the ACS Relay for Life event in East Baton Rouge.

Neighbors FCU helps STUFF THE BUS!  The EBR School Bus Association held a Stuff the Bus promotion to benefit the Greater Food Bank, in which Neighbors FCU donated $500 to match the penny per pound incentive for the Bus Drivers. Neighbors FCU employees raised nearly $500 in donations and member contributions.  This annual event collected enough donations to make over 12,000 meals available for the needy in our area.

Carole Whitesell - Bus Driver, Joni Herrmann - Neighbors FCU, Pam Wilson - Bus Driver, Cecilia Gaubert - Greater BR Food Bank and Joseph Sullivan – EBRPSB Transportation.

The East Baton Rouge Parish school system announced the 2008-2009 Teachers of the Year on Tuesday, honoring a special-needs pre-school teacher, a 33-year teaching veteran and a high school Spanish teacher. The winners were announced at a banquet sponsored by the nonprofit group Volunteers In Public Schools and Neighbors Federal Credit Union. This year’s Teachers of the Year are Southdowns Elementary School pre-kindergarten teacher Carla T. Theriot, Valley Park Alternative School math teacher Cecelia Pelichet Perkins and Capitol High School Pre-college Academy for Girls Spanish teacher Sarah Harris.
 

In background, from left, are Kathi Gill, CEO/president of Neighbors FCU, Joni Herrmann, Neighbors FCU Public Relations officer and Mayor-President Kip Holden.

Neighbors Federal Credit Union was proud to continue our support of the Boy Scouts Champions program in Baton Rouge. This special needs program teaches youth with mental disabilities/challenges the life skills they need to achieve self-sufficiency. Students enjoyed fishing, fire safety drills, team games and other social events at Camp Waddell.
 

Darlene Shingleur, Neighbors FCU Business Development officer, stands with Belinda Fluker of the Istrouma Area Boy Scouts and Mrs. Boozer, a dedicated camp volunteer.

Neighbors FCU employees were on hand to participate in the Baton Rouge March of Dimes March for Babies event. Staff members arrived early to help set up for the event, hand out drinks and distribute shirts to the thousands of participants! Neighbors branches have also been raising funds for this important cause all year long. The proceeds will support lifesaving research, services, education and advocacy that help babies get a healthy start.
 

Employees pose for a quick photo before walking the 5K March for Babies in Baton Rouge.

After a complete interior remodel and ATM repositioning, Neighbors FCU celebrated the re-opening of our Goodwood Branch for our member-owners. Complete with a ribbon cutting, speech from the CEO, refreshments and cake, the event was a huge success. Congratulations to Mrs. Estes who walked away with a 42” LCD HDTV as our way of thanking our members for their patience during the construction.

 
Goodwood Branch Manager Frances Davis, Assistant Branch Manager, Alisa Eaton, Board Member Graydon Walker, Board Chair Melanie Brunson and CEO Kathi Gill celebrate the renovation Grand Opening of the Goodwood Branch.

The Management and Board of Directors of Neighbors FCU were proud to honor the Denham Springs Branch staff for achieving Branch of the Year status for 2007! “As a team, we accomplished many of our goals and it took team effort to get there,” commented Jean Floyd, SVP – Branch Administration. The winner was chosen based on goals met, community service and involvement and training events attended. A trophy will be housed at the branch during the year while all branches compete for it in 2008. The Denham staff was also treated to a limo ride to dinner at their restaurant of choice.
 

Kathi Gill, CEO, and Jean Floyd, SVP-Branch Administration stand
 with the management and staff of the Denham Springs Branch and their trophy.

In appreciation for the years of service to the American Cancer Society and unyielding participation in their fundraising efforts, Neighbors FCU was presented an award at their recent Recognition Banquet. “Truly going above and beyond and willing to get involved is a great way to describe the employees of our next honorees. They are sponsors, teams and committee members for several Relay for Life events in our market area. In addition, they were partners on our first annual Jamaica Me Crazy event last year. Always good neighbors to ACS!” commented the emcee at the banquet.
 

Neighbors FCU held its 54th Annual Business Meeting on March 18th at Christian Life Academy. With a theme of “Growing Green,” this year’s Annual Meeting was a big success.

Boar incumbents Dr. Jacqueline Lewis, Andrew Redmond and Bill Robbins were re-elected to the Neighbors Board of Directors by acclamation. Mr. Norman Thompson was honored for his many years of service to the credit union and Mrs. Kathi Gill was welcomed as our new President and CEO.
 

Baton Rouge Area Credit Unions recently hosted the 5th Annual Credit Union Charity Golf Tournament. Neighbors Federal Credit Union, Campus Federal and Pelican State Credit Unions sponsored the 2008 tournament at the Greystone Golf Course. Proceeds from this tournament benefit Habitat for Humanity, which helps build homes for needy and deserving families.

The 2008 5th Annual Baton Rouge Area Credit Union Charity Golf Tournament was a huge success. The Credit Unions appreciate everyone’s participation and look forward to planning next year’s event benefiting area charities.

Kathi Gill, Neighbors President and CEO, and Charlotte Placide, Superintendent of East Baton Rouge Parish School System, congratulate the winners of the 2007 Student of the Year Awards. Neighbors FCU is a proud sponsor of the Student of the Year Awards.

Catholic School Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year and Diocesan Priest of the Year
February 2008  

Kathi Gill, President and CEO, Joni Herrmann, Public Relations Officer, and Bishop Robert Muench recently presented the winners of the Catholic Schools Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year and Diocesan Priest of the Year. Neighbors FCU has been a strong supporter of the Catholic Diocese and School System for years in the Baton Rouge area, and are proud to award these deserving recipients.

Neighbors FCU employees were on hand at Kenilworth Middle School’s Career Day to educate our youth about career paths in finance and other fields. In addition to talking to the students about the importance of education, we informed them about scholarship opportunities from the CU, part-time jobs we offer to students while in school and much more.

Neighbors Federal Credit Union Opens Branch at Robert E. Lee High School

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 marked a milestone for both Robert E. Lee High School and Neighbors Federal Credit Union. The Patriot Branch, named by students, opened its doors and welcomed student and staff member-owners. “A dream that has been in the works for quite some time was realized as we cut the ribbon to welcome students, faculty and staff to join the first High School branch in East Baton Rouge Parish,” commented Kathi Gill, CEO.

School Board members, Neighbors staff and board members, news media, students, faculty and staff were on hand to witness this momentous occasion and celebrate as Neighbors FCU works toward of mission of educating students in financial literacy and helping them learn to save in a safe and conducive environment.

To prepare for the responsibilities of running their branch, students trained for eight weeks and shadowed employees at Neighbors. They will earn internship credits and learn real-world experience as they run the branch with help from our staff.

Hope Outdoors is a non-profit Christian outdoor ministry that grants wishes to the physically challenged to go on the hunting trip of a lifetime. This year’s hunt was held at Blackhawk Plantation and included five hunters as well as their families. Neighbors FCU was proud to help make their dreams come true.

Neighbors Federal Credit Union and WAFB recently teamed up for an amazing Getaway Giveaway to send one lucky winner and a guest (2 tickets) to see the Tigers in action at the Superdome. The Championship Sized Prize Package included Limousine Service from Baton Rouge to the big game, Dinner for Two at Riche’s Restaurant in New Orleans and $250 in spending cash! The total value was over $5,000. Neighbors randomly pulled an entry from over 20,000 online and paper entry forms. Mrs. Kathi Gill, Executive Vice President for Neighbors FCU drew the name of Mr. Kevin Vidrine of Baton Rouge as the grand-prize winner! Along with his girlfriend, they were presented the winnings in a presentation at Neighbors’ Perkins Road branch on January 4.