LIHUE After a couple of employees at Gather FCU inquired about bringing their children to the Kukui Grove Branch to learn about who GFCU employees are and what they do, a Building Savers Field Trip was created.
LIHUE — After a couple of employees at Gather FCU inquired about bringing their children to the Kukui Grove Branch to learn about who GFCU employees are and what they do, a “Building Savers’ Field Trip” was created.
In April, the facility hosted 41 children from Island School’s preschool, Na Pua Keiki. The Building Savers Field Trip started with some “fun” financial literacy exercises, followed by a trip through the teller line where every child got to make a deposit. Then the entire class was given a tour of the Kukui Grove Branch as an interactive treasure hunt, followed by a pizza lunch and dance party.
“This is the best field trip that I’ve ever been on!” Stephenie Brown, business development manager at Gather FCU, heard one of the children say. That means the GFCU employees accomplished their goal, because if the kids are having fun, then they are learning and forming positive connections to money.
The entire staff stepped up to help. They even offered to dress as pirates, and one even brought her parrot from home.
Financial institutions used to be seen as places where adults went without children. It was dark and quiet and uninviting.
GFCU leaders encourage teachers on Kauai to bring their classes in for field trips. To reserve a “Building Savers Field Trip,” call Brown at 246-1262, or email sbrown@gatherfcu.org.
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Terri Kaniho is marketing manager at Gather Federal Credit Union. Stephenie Brown is GFCU business development manager.
