Eglin Federal Credit Union, Okaloosa Saves partner in summer youth savings campaign

Special to the Northwest Florida Daily News/USA TODAY NETWORK
·2 min read

FORT WALTON BEACH — Eglin Federal Credit Union partnered with Okaloosa Saves for the annual Teach a Child to Save campaign from April 1 to June 30.

Winners of the Teach a Child to Save campaign were presented certificates by Okaloosa Saves at the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners meeting July 19 in Shalimar.
Winners of the Teach a Child to Save campaign were presented certificates by Okaloosa Saves at the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners meeting July 19 in Shalimar.

Youths were encouraged to set a savings goal and make a deposit into a savings account at EFCU. This year there were 108 youths under 18 years old who participated, with deposits totaling $18,685. Their names were entered into a random drawing for six of them to win a $50 deposit into their EFCU account from Okaloosa Saves.

Since the program began in 2004, 3,386 youths have made deposits totaling $350,104.07.

The six winners this year were:

  • Genesis Albright, Fort Walton Beach.

  • Dorothy Kollar, Fort Walton Beach.

  • Mason Mueller, Fort Walton Beach.

  • Nathan Smith, Crestview.

  • Ruby Smith, Mary Esther.

  • Soulina Sellers, Destin.

The six winners were presented a certificate by Okaloosa Saves at the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners meeting July 19.

“Wise money management is such a beneficial skill to learn," Commission Chairman Mel Ponder said. "The knowledge our youth gain in the Teach a Child to Save program will positively impact them now, their future families and businesses right here in our community in the years to come.”

“Okaloosa Saves has been active in encouraging people of all ages to save money for life events, EFCU President and CEO Jerry Williams  added. "We are proud to have partnered with Okaloosa Saves for 18 years to help teach children the importance of saving, and we look forward to this program every summer.”

Sherry Harlow serves on the Okaloosa Saves Board as the treasurer and donated $1,000 to help with the Teach a Child to Save campaign.

“It is never too soon to start teaching children to save. Helping them to develop good saving and spending habits in their youth can carry over into adulthood, especially in having funds for emergencies," Harlow said.

Savings tips for parents

  • Talk about the importance of budgeting and saving money.

  • Visit your local EFCU branch to open a savings account or deposit into an existing account.

  • Teach the basics of investing.

  • Encourage your children to be entrepreneurs.

  • Be a role model.

Follow EFCU on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn or visit  www.eglinfcu.org for news and financial education updates.

People interested in working at EFCU may check out Careers on the EFCU website. Also, learn how to become an EFCU member online (eglinfcu.org/join/).

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: EFCU, Okaloosa Saves partner in summer youth savings campaign