Twenty kids touring a credit union headquarters, creating their own commercials, meeting firefighters and police officers, and learning why staying safe online matters just as much as looking both ways before crossing the street. That’s exactly what went down at First Harvest Credit Union’s third annual Bring Your Child to Work Day at their Deptford, New Jersey campus.
Held at the First Harvest Corporate Center, this year’s event embraced the theme “The Future is @ Work”—complete with that delightfully retro @ symbol. The goal? Help kids imagine what their future careers might look like while building confidence through hands-on exploration.
More Than Just a Day Off School
The day kicked off with credit union volunteers explaining what makes credit unions tick. The kids got the full inside scoop on how these financial institutions operate differently from traditional banks and why they matter in our financial system. Think of it as Finance 101, but way more engaging than any textbook could manage.
From there, the group embarked on guided tours through various departments at the Corporate Center and even visited the nearby Deptford Branch. Getting a behind-the-scenes look at daily operations gave these young visitors a real sense of how a financial institution actually functions—no smoke and mirrors, just people doing meaningful work.
Digital Safety Gets Its Moment
First Harvest’s IT team stepped up with an interactive session on online safety and security. In a world where kids are digital natives practically from birth, teaching them how to navigate the internet safely isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. The session covered practical tips for staying secure in the digital world, the kind of knowledge that’ll serve them well whether they’re 10 or 40.
Heroes in Uniform Make an Appearance
The Deptford Township Police Department and Deptford Fire Department dropped by to talk about their careers and community service. Because what’s a Bring Your Child to Work Day without meeting some real-life heroes? The first responders shared stories about their daily work and how they serve the local community, offering the kids a window into careers built around helping others.
Lights, Camera, Credit Union!
Here’s where things got creative. This year’s program added a brand-new element: the kids wrote and performed their own commercials and skits promoting First Harvest membership. The performances highlighted credit union fundamentals like the “people helping people” philosophy, smart saving solutions, and affordable borrowing options. Basically, these kids became mini marketing gurus for the day, translating financial concepts into entertainment.
The children also crafted personalized appreciation cards destined for deployed U.S. Military service members. It’s a small gesture that connects these young participants to something bigger than themselves—a reminder that gratitude and community matter.
Why It Matters
“We believe Bring Your Child to Work Day is more than just a break from school, but a meaningful opportunity to spark curiosity, shape young minds, and offer these children a glimpse into what their future careers could be,” said First Harvest President & CEO Mike Dinneen. “We’re grateful to our dedicated First Harvest employee volunteers and our local first responders for creating an exciting experience that was educational, inspiring, and fun for every child who attended!”
At the end of the day, events like this do more than fill a few hours with activities. They plant seeds—ideas about possibilities, careers, and contributions these kids might never have considered otherwise. That’s the kind of investment that pays dividends you can’t measure in dollars and cents.