Members of Ascentra Credit Union, headquartered in Bettendorf, raised more than $23,000 through the credit union’s Ride 50 auto loan promotion during the 2021 holiday season.
Beginning in October 2021, Ascentra members who qualified for an auto loan or refinance received $50 to help with holiday spending with an additional $50 donation made to the Salvation Army in their community.
The four communities reached through this campaign are determined by Ascentra’s branch locations and the areas the Salvation Army serves, which are the Quad Cities (Davenport and Moline) and Clinton and Muscatine, Iowa.
Each year, the local Salvation Army sets a fundraising goal for their annual Red Kettle Campaign which runs through the holidays each year. In the Quad Cities, the 2021 goal was $750,000.
“Through the amazing partnership with Ascentra Credit Union and very generous communities this season, The Salvation Army has been able to not only reach our Christmas campaign goal but exceed it by 5% and help hundreds of families in need,” said Major Robert Doliber, the Salvation Army’s Quad Cities coordinator. “In these trying times, people continue to struggle with affordable housing and food insecurity, but because of the success of the Ride 50 promotion, hope marches on throughout the year.”
Combined, Ascentra’s nine branches processed 462 auto loans which raised $23,100 for the campaign. The five branches in the Iowa Quad Cities raised $12,150, the Moline branch raised $3,050, the Muscatine branch raised $3,700 and the two branches in Clinton raised $4,200.
“We are so impressed by the results of our Ride 50 promotion,” said Jennifer Naeve, Ascentra’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “With the impact the pandemic is having, we knew that we needed to find a way to help. This promotion was designed to encourage our members to not only save money through our great rates but also join us in raising money for a good cause that benefits people in our own communities”.
Since 2018, Ascentra Credit Union has promoted the Ride 50 campaign to a predetermined, non-profit organization that benefits citizens in the communities of the Quad Cities, Moline, Muscatine, and Clinton. Since its inception, the promotion has generated $73,600 in donations to organizations such as Salvation Army, River Bend Food Bank, Toys for Tots and Clinton’s Holiday Network.
In addition to raising funds, Ascentra wanted to raise awareness for the Salvation Army in the communities in which it serves. To do this, it worked with the local staff to develop a webpage that highlighted the programs and services offered to residents. The website shared information about the Salvation Army mission, showcased programs and services by location and highlighted its Pathway of Hope program, which focuses on how families can break the generational cycle of poverty.
“The Salvation Army is a comprehensive program designed to help people across our country,” said Linda Andry, Ascentra’s president and CEO. “They offer local outreach programs and services to help people get back on their feet. We are proud to partner with them and help carry on their mission in our communities.”
