Travis Credit Union brings holiday joy to its communities

This holiday season, Travis Credit Union members and employees are reaching out to the community and people in need by taking part in food drives for the Solano and Contra Costa food banks, The Festival of Trees, Christmas Wish 2012 and the 2012 Children’s Miracle Network Holiday Stocking Campaign.

The credit union has a branch in Davis, at 1380 E. Covell Blvd.

Each year, Travis Credit Union helps the working poor, seniors, single parents and the homeless in Solano County through its annual food drive. Credit union employees, members and the general public are encouraged to bring nonperishable foods to all Travis Credit Union branches in Solano and Contra Costa counties from Nov. 15 through Jan. 31. Donations will go to the food banks in those two counties.

The 2012 Children’s Miracle Network Holiday Stocking Campaign involves employees and members, who can purchase and sign as many paper stockings as they want for $1 each to support the health needs of children. The stockings are on display at all TCU branches through Dec. 24.

Proceeds from this year’s campaign will go to the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento and Valley Children’s Hospital Central California in Madera County. Last year, members and employees donated more than $3,500.

Additionally, Travis Credit Union has been the No. 1 corporate sponsor for the Christmas Wish program for the past 11 years. In 2011, through chili cook-offs, an online auction and bake sale, employees raised more than $6,700 and donated 343 gifts to the program. This year, employees are determined to match or beat that donation. Their giving ensures that less fortunate children are granted the one wish they have made for Christmas.

How does it work? Children place their wishes on ornaments so that sponsors may buy an appropriate gift for them. Sponsors also may make cash donations that will be used to purchase gifts. This year, the beneficiaries are children of the working poor and foster children.

This is the ninth year that TCU has participated in the Festival of Trees, which benefits The Opportunity House. What started out as a labor of love years ago has become a special holiday tradition in Vacaville. Each year the festival presents a forest of Christmas trees that are auctioned off to the highest bidder. TCU donated a themed tree titled “Santa’s Treats.”

On Nov. 15, employees held their seventh annual craft fair, open to the public. Community members had the chance to purchase hand-crafted gifts made by employees and enjoy a light dinner of hamburgers and hot dogs. Proceeds benefit the Heather House homeless shelter; last year’s fair raised more than $1,000.

On November 15, 2012 employees will conduct their seventh annual Employee Craft Fair. The public was invited to browse through unique, handmade items crafted by talented TCU employees and to enjoy a light dinner of hamburgers and hot dogs. Many beautiful items are raffled off and proceeds benefit the Heather House directly. Employees raised more than $1,100 for the Heather House homeless shelter.

Lastly, employees will join with community members to lay holiday wreaths on the graves at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon on Saturday, Dec. 15.

“Through these programs and others like them, we are reaching out to people in need,” says Patsy Van Ouwerkerk, president and CEO of Travis Credit Union. “We are proud to be helping the community and at the same time making a difference in people’s lives.”