Hope-Anne Elias is a member of the 2019 Public Relations Committee
At the UNC Dance Marathon, you know them as the supplier of the green glasses: the flashy fashion statement that has quickly become a Marathon staple. Today, we’re taking a closer look at Coastal Credit Union because their partnership with CFTK goes well above and beyond their famous accessory.
At the UNC Dance Marathon, you know them as the supplier of the green glasses: the flashy fashion statement that has quickly become a Marathon staple. Today, we’re taking a closer look at Coastal Credit Union because their partnership with CFTK goes well above and beyond their famous accessory.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Creighton Blackwell, the Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Community Engagement at Coastal Credit Union.
HE: When did Coastal Credit Union become partners with Carolina For the Kids, and how was this connection made?
CB: This will be the 6th year that we have partnered with CFTK. The connection was made by our current President and CEO of The Chamber For A Greater Chapel Hill – Carrboro, Aaron Nelson. Aaron is also an alumni of UNC and former Student Government President and knew the positive impact that CFTK and Dance Marathon made its communities. He also knew that I had been working for the betterment of communities for years and thought that there may be some synergies and partnering. He made the connection and we built the partnership from that point on.
HE: When did Coastal Credit Union become partners with Carolina For the Kids, and how was this connection made?
CB: This will be the 6th year that we have partnered with CFTK. The connection was made by our current President and CEO of The Chamber For A Greater Chapel Hill – Carrboro, Aaron Nelson. Aaron is also an alumni of UNC and former Student Government President and knew the positive impact that CFTK and Dance Marathon made its communities. He also knew that I had been working for the betterment of communities for years and thought that there may be some synergies and partnering. He made the connection and we built the partnership from that point on.
HE: Why does Coastal continue to work with us? What is your favorite thing about working alongside Carolina For the Kids?
CB: It’s about the impact and sincerity of your mission that makes us continue to work with CFTK. We are committed to our communities and the work of nonprofits is vital to its sustainability. We have the honor of working with nonprofits of all sizes and causes, but the fact that this is completely student led and touches the lives that it does is truly amazing. Working with the students and seeing the smiles on the kids that are impacted are my favorite things about working alongside CFTK (especially since I am a proud alumni and I’m also happy to come back to campus and help lift up our students and UNC as much as possible!)
CB: It’s about the impact and sincerity of your mission that makes us continue to work with CFTK. We are committed to our communities and the work of nonprofits is vital to its sustainability. We have the honor of working with nonprofits of all sizes and causes, but the fact that this is completely student led and touches the lives that it does is truly amazing. Working with the students and seeing the smiles on the kids that are impacted are my favorite things about working alongside CFTK (especially since I am a proud alumni and I’m also happy to come back to campus and help lift up our students and UNC as much as possible!)
HE: Coastal is known by dancers for giving away the green glasses at Dance Marathon, but how else have you contributed and helped Carolina For The Kids achieve our goals through the years?
CB: I also sit on the CFTK Board of Directors and help to connect CFTK with other businesses and organizations that hopefully helps them achieve their goals. We consistently involve members of CFTK in our Chamber of Commerce activities and meetings to increase their network amongst other potential partners. We also do financial education sessions to help develop everyone to be better financial consumers!
CB: I also sit on the CFTK Board of Directors and help to connect CFTK with other businesses and organizations that hopefully helps them achieve their goals. We consistently involve members of CFTK in our Chamber of Commerce activities and meetings to increase their network amongst other potential partners. We also do financial education sessions to help develop everyone to be better financial consumers!
(Earlier in the semester, Coastal demonstrated their dedication to financial education by hosting a Financial Reality Fair at UNC. Similar to a life-sized game of Life, the Reality Fair simulated future financial concerns, with an ultimate goal of teaching students about the power of budgeting and smart spending.)
HE: Lastly, why the green glasses?
CB: You can’t ignore the glow! Just like you can’t ignore the impact that CFTK and Coastal makes on our communities! See from our lens and watch the glow get bigger and stronger!
HE: Lastly, why the green glasses?
CB: You can’t ignore the glow! Just like you can’t ignore the impact that CFTK and Coastal makes on our communities! See from our lens and watch the glow get bigger and stronger!
Creighton is certainly right; the green glow definitely makes a statement at the Marathon, just like Coastal Credit Union and CFTK do in the community. Thank you very much to Creighton for participating in this interview, which I hope sheds some light on our partnership with Coastal Credit Union, the generous corporation behind the green glasses.