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CONNECT 20 Community Award: Congratulations to Hiway Federal Credit Union

Written by Q2 | 11 Sep, 2020

Every year, Q2 provides financial institutions (FIs) with comprehensive industry updates and networking opportunities during CONNECT, its annual client conference. This year, Q2 shifted CONNECT 20 to a series of events in the digital channel, responding to FIs’ needs of a more flexible schedule, as well as relevant content specific to this unique moment in time.

Q2 wanted to honor the CONNECT 20 award recipients by showing a more in-depth, online spotlight on the incredible accomplishments executed this past year. Winners were recognized for excellence in eight separate categories.

Community – Hiway Federal Credit Union

The CONNECT 20 award for Community honors FIs that make an impact through philanthropic causes designed to create better communities.

This year’s Community award recipient, Hiway Federal Credit Union (Hiway), is a Minnesota-based financial cooperative serving more than 78,000 members. The Hiway team has established numerous fundraising programs and shared many volunteer hours to strengthen its community.

Strategy and Results

Through one of its significant initiatives, Hiway partnered with Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, the nation’s first hospital for children with disabilities, to encourage youth hockey teams to participate in fundraising efforts. Hockey Kids4Kids, based in St. Paul, Minn., has attracted widespread youth teams each year, raising nearly $100,000 since its inception.

Hiway has also collaborated with more than 50 other Minnesota credit unions to establish Hiway Pave the Way Day, which aims to spread kindness throughout communities on Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Hiway contributes to this initiative in multiple ways, including donating food, preparing and serving meals for Ronald McDonald House Charities, feeding the homeless, and sharing greeting cards with people fighting cancer.

Another philanthropic effort, the Hiway Credit Union Foundation, supports financial education, student and teacher scholarships, and other community endeavors throughout the year. Hiway associates contribute to this program through Foundation Fridays, where employees donate to the cause (and get to wear their favorite pair of jeans and participate in cookouts to celebrate the day).

Last year, Hiway’s efforts included more than 5,000 volunteer hours with service organizations, food and clothing drives, financial education initiatives, fundraising efforts for community groups, and dedicated random acts of kindness.

Hiway’s commitment to serving its community aligns perfectly with Q2’s mission to build stronger communities by strengthening the FIs that serve them. Congratulations to Hiway on exemplifying community excellence to win this CONNECT 20 award.

Last year, Hiway’s efforts included more than 5,000 volunteer hours with service organizations, food and clothing drives, financial education initiatives, fundraising efforts for community groups, and dedicated random acts of kindness.

Hiway’s commitment to serving its community aligns perfectly with Q2’s mission to build stronger communities by strengthening the FIs that serve them. Congratulations to Hiway on exemplifying community excellence to win this CONNECT 20 award.

Bookmark and visit the Q2 blog for upcoming posts showcasing additional winners who’ve exemplified best-in-class services.