(Woodbury, MN – August 23, 2018) – Ideal Credit Union marked its 5^th Annual Community Appreciation Celebration by giving away $6,600 in cash prizes, including a $1,000 daily grand prize for adults age 18 and over, $100 a day for youth age 17 and under, and $3,000 in donations to local area food shelves. The celebration was held over the course of two weeks, starting August 7-16, 2018. Attendees enjoyed over 2,100 hamburgers and had a chance to win fun prizes, visit with kid’s club mascot Bucky Bear, and to give back to our local communities.

Hugo’s $1,000 winner was Joseph G. Miller, who joined the credit union in 2013 and chose Ideal because of the “great rates and great people.” The Inver Grove Heights winner, James Ylinen, chose Ideal because of our low fees. He plans to use the funds for his daughter’s wedding. Amber Kerr, the $1,000 winner in North St. Paul, is a VIP+ member who joined in 1995. She will put the money towards a vacation in the fall. Other $1,000 grand prize winners were Edward “Jim” Easton in Eagan, David Dochniak in Woodbury and Nathan Erickson in Stillwater.

Daily $100 Bucky Bear winners were Max Vang, Aleah Jessen, David Lawer, Erika Albrecht, Amya Mercado and Maddok Young.

Since 2013, Ideal Credit Union has paid out over $3.1 million in earnings to members through our exclusive VIP+ Program to thank them for their business and loyalty. Members who reach VIP+ status also receive a host of additional benefits and free services throughout the year.

As an active community partner, Ideal CU encouraged attendees to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to local food shelves and gently used coats for the Salvation Army Coats for Kids drive. The Ideal Community Foundation presented checks to local food shelf representatives at each branch during the celebration to help feed our hungry neighbors. The recipients were the Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf in Hugo, The Open Door in Eagan, Neighbors, Inc., in Inver Grove Heights, the North St. Paul Area Food Shelf in North St. Paul, Valley Outreach in Stillwater and the Christian Cupboard in Woodbury.

Ideal’s Community Celebration, which started in 2014, has been a big hit with members and the community at large. “The Community Celebration is one of the highlights of the year for our credit union,” said Ideal CU President/CEO Brian Sherrick. “The event gives us the opportunity to thank our members for doing business with our credit union, showcase our commitment to giving back to the local community, and have fun at the same time.”

Founded in 1926, Ideal Credit Union is a member owned financial institution that is dedicated to providing financial services driven by a sincere and personal interest in the needs of our employees, members and community. Ideal CU offers a complete range of services, including a full suite of electronic banking products, savings, checking, loans, mortgage products, exclusive VIP member payback, business services, investment services and more. Offices are located in Eagan, Hugo, Inver Grove Heights, North St. Paul, Stillwater and Woodbury. Visit idealcu.com for details and directions. Ideal has been voted “Best Credit Union in the East Metro” 2 years in a row by readers of the Stillwater Gazette and was recently named a 2018 Star Tribune Top 150 Workplace. Equal Housing Lender.