Coastal Credit Union Employees Help Give Kids a Place to Sleep

This year, in celebration of International Credit Union Day, 40 Coastal Credit Union employees volunteered with the Durham Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), a nonprofit dedicated to providing beds for children in need. It was among our biggest volunteer events ever, sponsored by Coastal’s Credit Union Development Educators, and supported by employees from throughout the organization.

“International Credit Union Day celebrates the global impact of the credit union movement,” said Michael Doi, Data Analyst - Market and Member Intelligence, who co-organized the event. “We wanted to create an opportunity to mark the day by acting out one of our cooperative principles, and Concern for Community was a natural fit.”

Coastal’s employees volunteered on October 21 and built 20 beds, while Coastal donated the cost of the lumber, mattresses and bedding, more than $5,000 in total. 

“I was blown away by how many Coastal Credit Union volunteers came out today”, said Robert Sweeney, SHP’s Durham Chapter President. “Thank you, Coastal, for helping to get twenty more kids off the floor.”

A few weeks later, additional volunteers delivered and assembled the beds for the recipients.

“Just seeing the reactions and knowing that you’ve made a difference makes it completely worth it,” said Debby Avery, Senior Financial Analyst and event co-organizer. “We delivered a bed to a seven-year-old boy, and it was the first time he ever had his own bed. He just kept touching the blanket, and you could just see him beaming with happiness.”

Coastal employees are continuing their support of SHP through the holidays. They are currently conducting a bedding drive to collect new sheets, pillows, blankets and waterproof mattress pads for recipients.