Credit union's teamwork, spirit aids homeless

This "News by You" was written by Paul B. Stull, Senior Vice President of the Arizona State Credit Union.

There is an old adage, "Chop your own wood, and it will warm you twice."

In reality, not everyone can chop their own wood. Some people need help. When Arizona State Credit Union learned that the Phoenix Rescue Mission was in need of bottles of water to hand out to the homeless this summer, we chose to help. What started as a simple fundraiser and water drive became an experience that certainly warmed us at least twice.

We set a modest goal to raise 500 cases of water for the homeless. We ended up with 1,350 cases of water and $1,900 to donate to the Phoenix Rescue Mission. But this was just the beginning of the remarkable things that happened at Arizona State Credit Union.

The water drive created just the right mix of teamwork, competition, and fun to fuel a powerful uplift within our organization.

It started on a day where our associates took the initiative to organize "Dunk Tank Mania," where associates lined up with cash or water donations to dunk their favorite executive in a state-fair-style water tank. On that day alone, we raised nearly $600. Then the quiet leaders of our organization began to flourish. They formed teams across departments and made sure everyone was included. They sent company-wide emails of encouragement. They built water pyramids showing off their donations. They even sent updates on sale prices for water at local stores. It brought out the best in our associates.

As a financial institution, we take our business very seriously. This exercise revealed the need for fun, how fun turns into motivation, and how motivation becomes contagious. In an industry driven by numbers, we had the opportunity to prove that we are driven by people.

Ultimately, the community's success is our success. By assisting members of our community who are less fortunate, we all benefit. We build steps to improvement that lead to employment and economic security, thereby creating stability. That benefit is clear, but the general inspiration and unity that comes to the people who actually organize and donate is nearly as important as the donation itself.

So, to the old adage, we would respond, "chop wood for others, and it will warm the whole camp."

Members of the Arizona State Credit Union use the "bucket brigade" approach to load a truck with bottled water.