Press Release

FAIRWINDS Credit Union Launches the FAIRWINDS Foundation
Organization to Guide FAIRWINDS ’ Ongoing Investment in the Central Florida Community

ORLANDO, FL – FAIRWINDS Credit Union’s commitment to the Central Florida community has spanned nearly seven decades, with continued investment in making the area a great place to live, work and play. This commitment to the community will be further reinforced with the launch of the FAIRWINDS Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, dedicated to helping individuals create and achieve a path toward financial responsibility, security and freedom.

“Education is a key cornerstone of achieving financial freedom,” said Garry Capton, president of FAIRWINDS Foundation. “By establishing the FAIRWINDS Foundation, we will have more opportunities to thank and help our community through valued partnerships with like-minded organizations and educational institutions.”

FAIRWINDS Foundation has already selected two organizations for partnership, sponsoring a Junior Achievement of Central Florida program and building upon FAIRWINDS’ more than 20 years of philanthropy and service to the University of Central Florida (UCF).

The FAIRWINDS Foundation will partner with Junior Achievement of Central Florida to serve as the exclusive banking sponsor of JA Finance Park Virtual, a virtual simulation exercise for high school seniors in economics classes.

The interactive virtual experience aims to help students make well-informed personal financial decisions through hands-on activities culminating in a volunteer-delivered simulation. JA Finance Park Virtual takes students through life scenarios to educate them about budgeting, housing, income calculation, understanding stocks and other real-world practical applications. FAIRWINDS crewmembers will teach the virtual simulation sessions on a volunteer basis.

“Junior Achievement of Central Florida’s mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy by helping to make the connection between what they learn in school and what they will need to know for the future,” said Kathy Panter, Junior Achievement president. “Our programs and initiatives would not be possible without the support of our schools, volunteers, and generous sponsors and donors. We are proud to partner with FAIRWINDS and are so grateful for the Foundation’s support.”

More than 25 schools within Orange and Osceola counties plan to participate in JA Finance Park Virtual, with the potential to reach more than 9,000 students by the end of the 2017-2018 school year.

Already a longstanding partner and the official Student Banking Service Provider for UCF, FAIRWINDS will continue to support the university through its newly formed Foundation. The FAIRWINDS Foundation will support UCF’s Cent$ible Knight$ financial literacy program, offering five $2,500 scholarships to UCF students that complete the program. Cent$ible Knight$ provides students with information and resources that enhance their financial knowledge and equip them to make sound financial decisions, including responsible spending and saving, student loan management, credit evaluation, protection of financial information and investment planning.

“University of Central Florida’s faculty and staff strive to foster a welcoming environment and opportunities for our more than 64,000 students to grow, learn and succeed,” said Alicia Keaton, director of student financial services at UCF. “Educating our students on the intricacies of personal finances and investments through the Cent$ible Knight$ program is a critical component to their future success. We are incredibly thankful to continue our valued partnership with FAIRWINDS Credit Union through its new Foundation.”

To learn more about the FAIRWINDS Foundation, visit www.fairwinds.org/foundation.

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