Talking Money With The Inmates

Posted by SIU Credit Union on Nov 3rd, 2009 | no comments

For a little over an hour a month, I attend boot camp. Not boot camp in the traditional sense, rather at the Illinois Youth Detention Center in Murphysboro. For the past several months the credit union has been invited to come in and talk to the inmates about financial literacy. I also bring a birthday cake with me for those celebrating birthdays that month. It’s amazing how that little gesture means the world to those locked up, without family on their special day.

I’ve always enjoyed helping people understand the tricks to managing their money successfully. But I get an even greater sense of satisfaction when the 15 or so kids who are nearing the end of their stay and I spend one morning a month talking money. I was lucky enough to be raised in a family where money was never a concern … at least if it was, it wasn’t my concern. But these kids, many of them from broken homes, have a different perspective on money. They’ve had to worry about where their next meal will come from. Most had to steal or sell drugs just to survive. I spend an hour trying to reinforce the lessons they’ve been given during their stay. Hopefully that time is as rewarding to them as it is to me.

The boot camp is military in nature. The inmates wear uniforms and march to commands. For the most part, they are respectful and obedient. It’s the easiest class I’ve ever had to talk to … and quite possibly the most important. Hopefully, the inmates will take away the importance of my message: Get an education. Find a good job. Live within your means. It’s simple stuff, but words that many of them have never heard before.

I look forward to my visits with them. I only hope my message is heard and I don’t begin seeing familiar faces in the classroom.

-Chris Sievers, Marketing Director

Happy Halloween

Posted by SIU Credit Union on Oct 30th, 2009 | 2 comments

In Times of Emergencies… It’s Good To Know You Have Connections!

Posted by SIU Credit Union on Oct 21st, 2009 | no comments

If you have ever had an emergency and needed immediate transport to a hospital by helicopter, you know that this can costs thousands of dollars.  Transport by air ambulance can make the difference between life and death for many citizens.   Air Evac operates the world’s largest fleet of more than 100 medically-equipped Bell helicopters and has safely flown more than 180,000 people who were in critical need of care. Service area includes Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia, with the company being the largest air ambulance provider in 8 of its 14 states.

Membership in Air Evac Lifeteam is a subscription-based program. Membership provides prepaid protection against all of Air Evac Lifeteam’s transport costs that exceed any insurance or medical benefits you may have. Most insurance companies will pay 100% of what they deem an allowable amount for air ambulance, which does not necessarily mean that the total cost of the flight will be covered.  Members are entitled to transport by an available Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter to the closest appropriate medical facility for medical conditions deemed by an attending medical professional to be life- or limb-threatening, or that could lead to permanent disability.

Although you do not have to be a member to use the air ambulance service, membership offers several benefits:

• As a member, Air Evac Lifeteam they work on your behalf with your insurance company to secure payment for its flight. For all Air Evac Lifeteam transport costs that exceed any insurance or medical benefits you may have, the company will waive all costs not covered by your insurance or benefits.
• Memberships are valid in all Air Evac Lifeteam service areas so members are covered while traveling. More than 85 mutually supporting bases are located across 14 states within the United States.
• Becoming an Air Evac Lifeteam member is a good way to support the health care needs of your community. The company’s membership base helps it operate in rural areas where having a quick response time to critical medical situations can save lives. If not for its members, Air Evac Lifeteam would be challenged to provide its livesaving service in many of its outlying communities.

Air Evac Lifeteam Membership Fees

If interested in learning more about membership benefits, call toll free 800-793-0010 or go to www.lifeteam.net and visit the FAQ section on the website for details.

Wind Energy Facts

Posted by SIU Credit Union on Oct 21st, 2009 | no comments

• The U.S. wind energy industry installed a record 8,358 mw of new generating capacity in 2008, enough to serve more than 2 million homes.

• 2008 growth increased the nation’s total wind generating capacity by 50 percent.

• New wind projects in 2008 accounted for 42 percent of new power-producing capacity added nationally.

• United States wind generating capacity is 25,170 mw, enough to power 7 million homes.

• For every megawatt of wind energy produced, $1 million in economic development is generated.

• Texas leads the states in generating capacity with 7,116 mw, followed by Iowa, California, Minnesota and Washington.

• About 85,000 people are employed in the wind industry.

• About 50 percent of turbine components are manufactured domestically.

Source: American Wind Energy Association, 2009

Happy Credit Union Day 2009

Posted by SIU Credit Union on Oct 15th, 2009 | no comments

We’re celebrating a special day, and you’re part of it.

Join us Oct. 15 to celebrate International Credit Union Day with this year’s theme “Your Money, Your Choice, Your Credit Union.” Your money is hard-earned, and in a time of economic uncertainty, it’s safe in the hands of SIU Credit Union. 

More than 177 million people worldwide belong to a credit union. Credit unions don’t belong to shareholders hoping to turn a profit from your cash. Credit unions are member-owned, and any earnings are returned to you in the form of better rates and higher earnings. Take full advantage of your credit union membership. Meet your borrowing and savings needs with our member-friendly, low-priced services.

In honor of International Credit Union Day we will be serving a free chili lunch at our Giant City Road location in Carbondale from 11 to 1. Plus, vist our other branches and register to win Visa Gift Cards.

It’s your money, and this International Credit Union Day, we want to thank you for trusting SIU Credit Union to take care of you. We have only your best interests in mind. Let us know how we’re doing and what we can do to make your credit union membership even better.

We look forward to seeing you.

Ford Vs. Chevy Supersale in Marion

Posted by SIU Credit Union on Oct 14th, 2009 | no comments

Everyone loves a good match-up, so it caught our attention when two local car dealers approached us to be part of the Ford Vs. Chevy Supersale at Illinois Centre Mall in Marion. The credit union is always looking for ways to save our members money. With great car deals being provided by Marion Ford and Cash’s Baker Chevrolet in Marion, we threw our hat in the ring and offered one of the lowest auto loan interest rates available in the area.  Stop by Illinois Centre Mall between now and Saturday to get a great car deal and an even better auto loan interest rate.