Not rendering correctly? View this email as a web page here.
Community First Company Newsletter
Volume 2 | Issue 8 | August 2019
Our Mission: Providing financial solutions for every stage of life.
State of the Credit Union
Dear Valued Member,

I know that many of you are spending this month preparing for the upcoming school year. Perhaps you are a parent outfitting your children with new clothes or stocking up on school supplies. Some of you may even be students yourselves, attending UNF or another local university this fall. Many of you may be teachers, getting your lesson plans ready and putting those final touches on your classroom walls. 
 
At Community First, we know how important it is to support local families and education. Our roots were founded in public education. Some of you know our story. In 1935, a handful of teachers got together and launched Duval County Teachers Credit Union in a high school basement as a way to give local teachers a place to bank. In 1980, our name changed to Educational Community Credit Union to support even more people working in the public education system. In 2005, we re-branded to Community First Credit Union. Although we are proud to now have membership open to any resident in any profession, our hearts are still in public education (and we love our teachers!)
 
That's why we are so proud to partner with First Coast News and the United Way of Northeast Florida to support their annual "Stuff the Bus" event, which is a creative way to collect school supplies for teachers and students in our community. It is important for us to recognize that while a lot of families are out shopping for school supplies this month, there are still many others who cannot afford to buy these supplies for their children. As a result, teachers often reach into their own pockets (and spend an average of $600) to help their students be successful. 
 
First Coast Living Segment for Stuff the Bus
 
For more than a month, we've been collecting school supplies from our members in each of our 19 branches. We have also encouraged our employees to donate in our downtown headquarters. We've seen an amazing response; our collection bins are overflowing! On Friday, August 2, we'll be taking these supplies to The Markets at Town Center to literally stuff a school bus with these supplies! In fact, our goal is to stuff more than one bus! 
 
The buses will then drive the school supplies to the United Way of Northeast Florida's Full-Service Schools Resource Centers located throughout Jacksonville. This initiative supports 87 schools and 57,000 students in Duval County. Teachers have access to these much needed supplies for their students through 8 depot centers. We encourage you to join us as we Stuff the Bus again this year!
 
Thank you to everyone who has already donated. Not only have you helped us pay respect to our humble beginnings, you have also helped us live up to our current name of putting the Community First. We hope this event gives you just one more reason to Love Where You Bank.  
 
Help Us Stuff the Bus!
Community First Cares Foundation

Champions for Children

Community First Cares Foundation Partners with Investing in Kids for 'Champions for Children' Grant Cycle  

Calling all St. Johns county teachers! The Community First Cares Foundation partners with Investing in Kids - INK to continue its 'Champions for Children' grant cycle for St. Johns county teachers who have innovative classroom ideas! Apply now through October 16, 2019. We will award 10 lucky teachers with $1,000 each. One of those winners will move on to receive the grand prize of an additional $2,500 at the Teacher of the Year Celebration on January 31, 2020. Spread the word and apply today!  

Apply for a Grant

Cultural Council

Community First Cares Foundation Partners with Cultural Council to Create Grants for Emerging Artists

The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville is committed to enriching the lives of residents in Northeast Florida by investing in arts and culture. The Community First Cares Foundation is a strong supporter of emerging artists and the vital role they play in our community. That's why our Foundation has partnered with the Cultural Council to provide entrepreneurial resources for emerging artists of all disciplines. We encourage all artists to apply for a $1,000 grant today! The application deadline is August 15, 2019!   

Apply for a Grant

The Foundation is also helping the Cultural Council present a special course for artists: Entrepreneurial Resources for Creatives: Artist Capacity Building Intensive. The course, "Learn the Art of Running a Business," will help local artists learn the fundamentals of business finances and more. The course takes place on November 9, 2019.   

Register for the Course

Community News

Jacksonville Beach Hotel Construction

Community First Credit Union Funds Jacksonville Beach Hotel Construction

HOT OFF THE PRESSES! Community First Credit Union and Shivam Properties II, LLC have closed a deal to fund the construction of the company’s newest hotel project, the Element by Westin in Jacksonville Beach. The hotel, located on a strategic parcel on the southeast corner of Beach Blvd. and Third St., will be the first and only Element hotel property in North Florida and one of only three in Florida. The deal is the largest commercial project in Community First’s history.   

Team Photo at Construction Site-Newsletter

Read News Release
Community First Events
 Jacksonville Mom Summer Park Hop Series 

August 2 | Jacksonville Mom Summer Park Hop Series

We're proud to partner with Jacksonville Mom to present the 6th Annual Summer Park Hop Series! Join us at Jack Russell Park for a final summer send-off at our last park hop of the season on Friday, August 2 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.! Jack Russell Park is a beach favorite, featuring two playgrounds, basketball courts, a skate park, and plenty of shaded space to run around.

C1 Park Hop-021-Resized

The Park Hop is free! Bring the kids and meet other moms from your neighborhood as you explore this great outdoor space right here in Jacksonville. We'll see you at the park!

RSVP for the Park Hop

Jax Zoo Five Dollar Day

August 2 | Five Dollar Day at the Jacksonville Zoo

Have you been meaning to go to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens this summer, but haven't yet made the time? Well, mark your calendars! General Admission tickets are just $5 for all guests on Friday, August 2, 2019! There is no coupon required, and Stingray Bay and Butterfly Hollow are both included with General Admission! Reminders: The Zoo will be busy on Five Dollar Day. Be patient and be kind. Remember to stay hydrated! 

Get Tickets

Clay County Teacher Expo 

August 5 | 2019 Clay County Teacher Appreciation Expo

All Clay County teachers (public, private, and charter) are invited to join us for the exclusive 2019 Teacher Appreciation Expo! We are proud to partner with the Clay County Chamber of Commerce Foundation! We are uniting efforts to assist teachers in getting ready for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year. To show you how much we appreciate you, we’re giving away free school supplies! Plus, enjoy a variety of special offers and giveaways from local businesses at the expo.

Just some of the special offers from Community First Credit Union include free school supplies and an opportunity to enter to win $1,000 for a classroom makeover! For more details, visit the Clay Chamber's Eventbrite page below. We look forward to seeing you at the Thrasher-Horne Center on August 5!
 

RSVP

  Night Owl Cinema Series

Night Owl Cinema Series at The Amp St. Augustine:

August 9 | A League of Their Own

The Amp St. Augustine and Community First Credit Union proudly continue the free, family-friendly summer film series, “Community First Night Owl Cinema.” The wildly popular film series draws thousands of moviegoers who come to enjoy free, family-friendly films projected on a giant 18 by 32 foot screen on the Amp’s main stage. Join us on Friday, August 9, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. for "A League of Their Own," starring Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna, and Rosie O'Donnell. The series is free and open to all ages, with free parking and concessions available for purchase.

The Amp at St. Augustine Movie Night

Event Info

Jax Humane Society Cat Cafe

August 11 | Pop-Up Cat Café at the Jacksonville Humane Society

We've partnered with The Jacksonville Humane Society to host a Pop-Up Cat Café! Stop by the Humane Society's adoption center on August 11, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. for a chance to meet a variety of adoptable cats and kittens! Grab a complimentary cup of coffee with your $5.00 entrance donation. Community First Credit Union is matching donations up to $500! We think it's the purrrfect way to support the amazing work that the Humane Society is doing to find furrrever homes for adoptable cats in Northeast Florida! 

RSVP

North Florida Green Chamber

August 13 | North Florida Green Chamber of Commerce Hosts Beaches Business Solar Co-Op Information Session

We're proud to partner with the North Florida Green Chamber of Commerce to promote green energy! The Green Chamber is also partnering with Solar United Neighbors of Florida to host an informational session to help people learn how to go solar. Learn how you can save on your installation and receive unbiased, technical support by participating in the Beaches Business Solar Co-Op. There's no cost to join or obligation to go solar. 

Learn More

 Two-For-Tuesday Jumbo Shrimp Game 

Aug. 27 | 2-for-1 at the Box Office for CFCU Members

Join us at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville on Tuesday, August 27 for some Affordable Family Fun at a Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp game! Tickets will be 2-for-1 at the box office for Community First Credit Union members who use their CFCU credit or debit cards. And don't forget about the Jumbo Shrimp Debit Card, which gives card holders a 10% discount on merchandise, a free small fountain drink with any concession stand purchase, and $2 off tickets purchased on game day at the box office. We'll see you at the ball park! 

Shrimp Game 7-16-19-1

View Promo Schedule

MOSH Expedition Dinosaur 

Now - Sept. 2 | Expedition: Dinosaur at the Museum of Science & History (MOSH)

Need a cool place to beat the heat this summer? You won't want to miss this traveling exhibition that celebrates and explores the fascinating world of dinosaurs and the hunt for their fossils in the early 20th Century! Expedition Dinosaur will feature large scale animatronic dinosaurs as well as many special exhibits. Membership perk alert! The MOSH has a special offer for all Community First Credit Union members and staff: Show a valid CFCU debit or credit card or employee ID to get $5 off a regular priced ticket Now – Sept. 2, 2019. Limit 4 admissions per member/employee. 

MOSH Dinosaurs
Exhibit Info

moveUP Financial Wellness

moveUP Money Experience for Teens

The Florida Times-Union Features Community First's moveUP Money Experience for Teens at the Baseball Grounds

Check it out! The Florida Times-Union wrote an awesome news story about our moveUP Money Experience for Teens -- a special event that we held at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville on June 15, 2019. We feel that financial education is so important for teens. That's why we created this real-world money simulation, so they know what to expect as an adult, including how to budget. Special thanks to Beth Cravey at The Florida Times-Union  for the write up, Rachel Fox at Fox Fotography for the pictures, to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp for hosting us, and to all of our volunteers and staff for organizing the event. 

Florida Times-Union Article

Read the Article

Services to Make Your Life Easier

Free Online Payment Tool

 

Introducing our Free Online Payment Tool

Great news!! Our Free Online Payment Tool is now available! This payment option allows you to quickly pay your loan through our website in just 5 easy steps. No need to log in to Online Banking! Simply have your account and routing number from your other financial institution handy. You will also need the account number and loan ID for the Community First loan you are paying.

Check it Out!

Social Media

Stay up to date on all of our latest news, events, and other happenings by following us on social media. We post regularly to keep you informed.

Instagram

#LoveWhereYouBank
Love it. Snap it. Share it.

Did we recently help save you money? Did our Mortgage Champions help you finance your dream home? Did you get a sweet new ride with one of our auto loans? We’d love to hear YOUR stories. Tag your photos with #LoveWhereYouBank for a chance to have your story featured in our next newsletter!

 

Federally insured by NCUA. | Equal Housing Lender

2019 © Community First Credit Union | All rights reserved