SECU's 100,000th Bluebird House Finds Home at NC Governor's Mansion!

RALEIGH, N.C., April 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly nine years ago, State Employees' Credit Union (SECU) partnered with Warrenton, North Carolina resident Frank Newell and other volunteers from the Eastern Bluebird Rescue Group to launch a statewide community improvement project, selling birdhouses to benefit the bluebird population in North Carolina.  While the project seemed a little unusual for SECU, members and credit union staff embraced the "Bluebird Project," purchasing thousands of bluebird houses over the years to provide N.C.'s native birds with safe habitats.  An exciting milestone was recently reached when SECU's 100,000th bluebird house found a home at the North Carolina Governor's Mansion!  Governor Beverly Perdue was on hand to accept the commemorative bluebird house from Frank Newell, other Eastern Bluebird Rescue Group volunteers and SECU staff.

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The Bluebird Project was initiated in 2002 after Toretta Snipes, Senior Vice President of SECU's Butner office met Mr. Newell.  His passion for saving the dwindling bluebird population was infectious, and soon Snipes and SECU were on board to sell a lofty goal of 25,000 bluebird houses.   Needless to say, SECU branches didn't stop with 25,000 and even after surpassing 100,000, Credit Union staff continue to sell the bluebird houses for just $10 – the cost to construct and deliver the expertly crafted boxes.

Mrs. Snipes commented, "Coordinating this project with Frank Newell and his volunteers at Eastern Bluebird Rescue Group has been such a privilege for me.  I am inspired by their passion for the bluebirds and the environment and I am thrilled that SECU's membership has continued to support this effort in record numbers, allowing us to reach the 100,000 milestone!"

On presenting the 100,000th box to Governor Perdue, Mr. Newell, stated, "I was honored to be on the grounds of the Governor's Mansion presenting one of our boxes to Governor Perdue.  The commemorative bluebird house has been placed in the Mansion's South Garden and we hope that an Eastern North Carolina bluebird now has a new home.  I am so proud of what we have accomplished with SECU and look forward to continuing this partnership for many years!"

About SECU

SECU is a non-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members. SECU has been providing the employees of the State of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for over 70 years. Currently serving more than 1.6 million members, SECU provides services through 237 branch offices, nearly 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Contact Centers and a website, www.ncsecu.org.

SOURCE State Employees' Credit Union