CULLMAN, Ala. – Redstone Federal Credit Union is not only celebrating its 75th anniversary, but recently opened its newest branch at 1202 Second Ave. NW (U.S. Highway 31) in Cullman. The grand opening took place on Feb. 12. with a huge turnout. Many stated it was the largest they had seen from the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce.
To serve the community, Redstone has created the “Acts of Brightness” campaign. It launched in late January and will continue through November.
RFCU Social Media Manager Kira La Scola stated, “We want to give back to the community and the people that we serve.”
Acts of Brightness is centered around aiding the community by handling expenses and lessening burden. RFCU aims to surprise Cullman residents while they shop and take care of essential needs. For example, since the credit union opened, the Brightness Crew has paid for residents’ utility bills, groceries, gas and more.
The locations for these acts of brightness are not disclosed beforehand. The Brightness Crew meets before their outings to be debriefed and carpool to various locations.
On Feb. 20, the Brightness Crew set out to serve the community yet again, gathering at the branch for a briefing before going to the Shell gas station at 1408 Second Ave. SW and Warehouse Discount Groceries in the Town Square Shopping Center.
At the grocery store, the Brightness Crew set out to notify customers currently in the store to fill their carts, while other members waited at the entrance to notify staff and any customers entering the doors. As the morning gave way to afternoon the crew took on new roles such as helping the staff bag items, helping individuals shop and covering expenses for every customer.
When asked how it felt to have his groceries paid for, Cullman’s David Lane laughed, “It feels wonderful. I had just opened an account there last week.”
Redstone’s Acts of Brightness reached more than just shoppers present at Warehouse Discount Groceries.
Another shopper, Vicky Reynolds told The Tribune, “That was $295 worth of groceries! I was coming in here for my grandmother and my neighbor, my friend; she has children and is sick as a dog. That took a huge weight off my shoulders.”
Not a single Brightness Crew member stood still during their time at the local grocery store. Several individuals and families coming in for a small grocery run left with a week’s worth of food. Those shopping for dog food were supplied with enough to last for months and even employees were able to have groceries and items provided by Acts of Brightness.
Said La Scola, “It’s very important to us to get into the community and see the faces that come into the branches, getting them things that they need and making people’s day bright!”
