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ECU Team Members Present $58,000 to Community Organizations

KINGSPORT, TN - Eastman Credit Union team members are delivering $58,000 in donations to nine organizations on Thursday, February 12, through the employee‑driven “Casual for a Cause” program.

Each fall, ECU employees nominate and vote for charitable organizations in their communities that they would like to support. The employee-selected organizations then become the beneficiaries of Casual for a Cause for the upcoming year.

“Casual for a Cause is special because our employees drive every part of it,” said Kelly Price, ECU’s CEO and president. “They choose the charities, they give from their own paychecks, and they show up to present the donations in person. It reflects their hearts for service and the pride they take in supporting the communities where they live and work.”

Participating team members donate one dollar per paycheck, which ECU matches. On payday Thursdays, team members wear tennis shoes, jeans, and shirts supporting the chosen charities. Since 2020, this effort has aided numerous nonprofits across ECU’s service areas.

Organizations are selected throughout ECU’s service areas in Tennessee, Virginia, and Texas. ECU employees chose the following nine charities to support in 2025:

  • Appalachian Literacy Initiative, Bristol, TN
  • The Oasis of Kingsport, Kingsport, TN
  • Appalachian Regional Coalition on Homelessness (ARCH), Johnson City, TN
  • The River Ministry for Women, Johnson City, TN
  • Appalachian Mountain Project Access, Johnson City, TN
  • The Crumley House Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center, Limestone, TN
  • The Arc - Washington County, Johnson City, TN 
  • Newgate Mission, Longview, TX
  • The Miracle League of East Texas, Longview, TX

“Because our employees select the organizations themselves, they feel deeply connected to the impact these dollars make,” Price added. “They know the needs in their communities, and they choose groups doing incredible work to meet them. We’re proud to support their generosity.”

Since 2020, “Casual for a Cause” has distributed more than $276,000 to local charities, demonstrating ECU’s ongoing commitment to giving back and supporting communities across its service areas.

The spirit of giving doesn’t stop there. In 2025, ECU expanded its commitment to community service by launching Volunteer Paid Time Off for all employees, creating meaningful opportunities for team members to support the communities they serve. Employee volunteerism and employee‑led giving underscore ECU’s long‑standing dedication to making a positive local impact.

ECU’s support extends well beyond volunteer programs. Through its financial education initiatives, ECU has funded classroom curriculums in more than 200 schools, reaching over 70,000 students in the last five years. Additionally, through its community giving program, ECU contributed $1.3 million in 2025 to charities and organizations that strengthen the regions it serves.

“Our roots run deep in the communities we serve. We are committed to doing our part to make our communities strong, resilient, and better places to live, work, and raise families.”

About Eastman Credit Union

Eastman Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee. Serving areas of Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and East Texas, ECU is the 26th-largest credit union in the nation, with over 356,000 members and approximately 1,100 employees. Funds are federally insured by NCUA. Member Equal Housing Lender. Equal Opportunity Employer.