Spokane Schools Partner With Local Credit Union To Beat Funding Crunch For Extracurricular Activities
SPOKANE, Wash., May 28, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As more and more schools feel the financial pinch when it comes to funding extracurricular activities in the face of increased demands for student testing, a group of Spokane-area schools is getting creative. They've turned to a local education-based credit union to help fill the gap.
The idea is to encourage parents and school supporters to designate their schools as "giveback recipients" for rebates when they use select credit union services. Located in Spokane Valley, School Employees Credit Union of Washington is currently rebating 1% (up to $350 per loan) of members' auto loans or refinances to the school of their choice – no strings attached – through June 30.
Mead High School is a flagship partner in the program. Its Mead High School Bandwagon booster club jumped at the chance for a new funding source as it raises money for a semi-trailer to haul band equipment to performances and competitions across the western United States, in addition to keeping up with ongoing costs for travel, instruments, and meals.
On Friday, Bandwagon will receive its May rebate check at a Grand Opening ceremony to celebrate the credit union's recent move to Spokane Valley.
Rob Lewis, who soon will take the reins as director of bands, called the partnership "an exciting opportunity for our program and its students." Approximately 150 students comprise the school's award-winning color guard and jazz, concert, and marching bands. About half stick with program from their freshman through senior years – exceptional tenure that contributes to the bands' rankings among the best in the United States.
"Many students find that in today's academically driven culture, it's tough to commit to an elective program for four years – in particular, one that takes up a lot of time outside of class," said Lewis. "But the ones who stay often go on to fields like teaching, engineering, and medicine where they rely on creativity and life lessons like time management, work ethic, communication, patience, and even sympathy for each other, that they learned with the band.
"We place high expectations on the students, which in turn generates a large amount of pride in what they do. It's very much a family that travels, plays, works, eats, and breathes together – drama included," he said.
The Mead Band is fresh off a six-day trip to Anaheim, Calif., where its Jazz 1 and concert band groups performed as part of the Disneyland Performing Arts OnStage program. It's just the latest in a string of dazzling accolades the band program has earned, including appearances at the prestigious Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival in New York City, a Class AA Championship at Bands of America in Tacoma, and a Sweepstakes win at the Cavalcade of Bands in Pasco.
And this weekend, the band may be coming to the small screen during halftime of the Spokane Shock football game (it's being televised on ESPN). It also will be the official marching band and perform the national anthem for Spokane Hoopfest (billed as the world's largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament) on June 27 and 28, from which ESPN will broadcast SportsCenter.
None of this comes cheap, of course, and the school and its supporters are constantly trying to come up with new ways to pay the bills – from ASB support (which, after 15 years of saving, proudly paid for new uniforms this year) to conventional car washes, plant sales, concession booths, and a fall craft fair.
But the credit union-school partnership is new territory. "We're excited to be visible in the community and honored to be receiving the 1% Auto Loan Giveback," said Lewis.
"Time will tell what this will yield in terms of funding and the business it provides for the credit union, but we love the concept of working together."
ABOUT SCHOOL EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNION OF WASHINGTON. Founded in 1936 by a Seattle math and journalism teacher, the credit union recently updated its mission and vision to become a financial services organization valued most for its contributions to education. As part of the new mission, it opened membership to include parents, students, volunteers, and supporters – anyone who shares a passion for education – not just school employees. It serves about 80,000 members in Washington and looks forward to expanding programs like its 1% Auto Loan Giveback to schools across the state. To learn more, visit schoolemployeescu.org.
SOURCE School Employees Credit Union of Washington
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