Credit Unions Join Idaho Governor to Formally Kick Off Financial Literacy Month

Last week, Idaho credit unions came together to support the Idaho Financial Literacy Coalition’s (IFLC) annual Proclamation Signing and Piggy Bank Beauty Contest Awards Ceremony.

The event kicked off Financial Literacy Month with some fun and welcomed a host of special guests including Idaho Governor Brad Little; Idaho Department of Finance’s Erin Van Engelen, Patty Highly, and Celia Kinney; Idaho Treasurer Julie Ellsworth; Idaho State Superintendent Sherry Ybarra; and Christine Stoll, Nick Thiros, and Goldie Bishop from IDeal — Idaho’s 529 College Savings Program.

KTVB Channel 7 aired a segment covering the event — watch below.

The Piggy Bank Beauty Contest encourages Idaho students in grades 3-6 to create and/or decorate a piggy bank using their ingenuity and virtually any materials. This year’s Awards Ceremony honored four students who won in selected categories: Laney Cacioppo, Avery Cacioppo, Teagan Forsythe, and Charlee Beverleigh.

Each of this year’s winners will receive a $150 contribution to start their very own Idaho College Savings account, provided by IDeal and sponsored in part by the IFLC. As a state-sponsored college savings program, IDeal’s mission is to help Idaho families create more opportunities for their children by preparing early for the costs of higher education.

“The Idaho Financial Literacy Coalition is proud to work together promoting the importance of financial literacy across Idaho, particularly when it comes to our youth,” said Angie Phillips, Past President of the IFLC and Public Relations Manager at Mountain America Credit Union. “The Piggy Bank Beauty Contest is a great way to get a conversation started about money with your children, and we are thrilled to help contribute to the winners’ very own 529 College Savings accounts. As always, we are incredibly grateful to Governor Little for recognizing the importance of early financial education by proclaiming April ‘Financial Literacy Month’ in Idaho.”

A partnership of private- and public-sector financial educators, the Idaho Financial Literacy Coalition is an affiliate of the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. The IFLC’s Board comprises four members, including three credit union professionals. They are:

  • Luke Erickson, President — University of Idaho Extension Office
  • Angie Phillips, Past President — Mountain America Credit Union
  • Kristy Massie, Treasurer — Idaho Central Credit Union
  • Heather McMillan, Secretary — Westmark Credit Union

To learn more about the Idaho Financial Literacy Coalition and how to get involved, please send an email to [email protected].

Posted in All Articles, Financial Literacy.