May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and First Harvest Credit Union isn’t just acknowledging it with a social media post and calling it a day.
Their employees are rolling up their sleeves and raising real money for the Center for Family Services in Camden, NJ—an organization that provides counseling, treatment, and mental health support across Southern New Jersey.
Here’s how it works: Through First Harvest’s Charitable Journey program, anyone can grab a green ribbon for a minimum $1 donation at any branch location. Write a personalized message on it, and it goes up on display for the entire month. Simple, visible, and meaningful—exactly what community fundraising should look like.
The Charitable Journey program itself has quite the track record. Launched back in 2015 by a group of First Harvest employees who wanted to make a difference beyond their day jobs, this volunteer-led initiative has become a serious force for good. They run quarterly fundraisers throughout the year, rally support for breast cancer research every October, and even purchase gift cards to help local families during the holidays. Since kicking off nearly a decade ago, the program has funneled more than $70,000 to local charities and organizations. Not too shabby for a grassroots effort.
This May, First Harvest employees are also participating in “Green-Out” dress-down Wednesdays—trading in the usual work attire to show solidarity with mental health awareness. It’s a small gesture that creates conversation, and sometimes that’s exactly what’s needed.
“Our Charitable Journey’s new Green Ribbon Program reflects our credit union’s commitment to supporting the entire well-being of our employees and the communities we proudly serve,” said Mike Dinneen, President and CEO of First Harvest. “Mental health touches every life, and Mental Health Awareness Month offers a meaningful opportunity to raise awareness, encourage access to support and treatment options, and help break the stigma that too often surrounds these important conversations. I am incredibly proud of our employees for championing this new initiative and for their commitment to the communities we’re part of.”
If you’re in the area and want to contribute, stop by any First Harvest branch this month. A dollar gets you a ribbon, a chance to share a message, and the knowledge that you’re helping fund critical mental health resources right in your community.
Related:
First Harvest Credit Union’s Annual Pink Ribbon Program Raises $3,000 for MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper
Introducing the First Harvest Financial Innovation Lab at Rowan College of South Jersey