OTIS Federal Credit Union Hosts Financial Fitness Fair at Spruce Mountain High School
For Immediate Release
May 17, 2019
OTIS Federal Credit Union Hosts Financial Fitness Fair at Spruce Mountain High School
JAY, Maine—On Thursday, April 25th, eight employees of OTIS Federal Credit Union visited Spruce Mountain High School and hosted a Financial Fitness Fair in conjunction with the Jobs for Maine Graduates program. This year marks the second year that OTIS has partnered with JMG in holding the event. Roughly 150 SMHS Juniors and Seniors participated in the “Real Life Game of Life.” Each student was assigned an annual income, and was tasked with budgeting for life’s essentials without exceeding their assigned income after taxes. All of life’s basic necessities were represented by booths manned by OTIS staff members, including categories such as groceries, student loans, housing, and transportation. After the students had made stops at each booth, some were assigned a random, disruptive life event, such as a car accident. Students were then prompted to reconceive their budgets in light of these new developments by re-visiting each station.
Each student who completed the Financial Fitness Fair was entered into drawings at the Fair’s conclusion for prizes, which included wireless phone charging stations, two laptop computers, and ten $50 Cumberland Farm gift cards.
“The Financial Fitness Fair at Spruce Mountain High School was a great opportunity for the students to get a glimpse into what life is like after high school and college,” said Kim Turner, President/CEO of OTIS FCU. “This exercise was a huge success, and I am excited that we were able to help them understand the different expenses associated with living on your own. I think it will be great when the students can reflect on this experience when they are going through the various milestones that they had to budget for!”
Added Jamie Turcotte, Loan Manager at OTIS FCU: “I attended the Financial Fitness Fair as an employee of OTIS Federal Credit Union; the best part was both of my daughters were in attendance also. It was so much fun! The students had no idea how much everything costs. I feel it was an eye opener to the real world. Both of my daughters said to me now I know I cannot afford everything I want. What a great thing for the students of Spruce Mountain High School.”
Media Inquiries
Please direct all media inquiries to Sarah Hayes, Director of Marketing and Communications, at (207) 320-4985, or email SarahH@otisfcu.coop
About OTIS Federal Credit Union
OTIS Federal Credit Union was founded in April of 1954 by eleven local millworkers. Pooling their respective deposits of $5 each, they associated themselves as charter members of OTIS under the provision of the Federal Credit Union Act. At a time in America when obtaining a loan was difficult for the average family, the founders of OTIS sought to form a cooperative, independent financial institution operated and controlled solely by its local membership.
Since its inception, OTIS has been committed not only to providing quality financial products and services to its shareholders, but to giving back to the community. Today, OTIS is a full-service financial center offering real estate, auto, and personal lending; online and mobile banking; a variety of checking, savings, and investment accounts; VISA debit and credit cards; financial planning; and much more. OTIS serves more than 10,900 members and holds over $172 million in assets, employing 29 people from Jay and the surrounding area. The credit union is located at 170 Main Street in Jay, Maine. For more information, please visit www.otisfcu.coop or call (207) 897-0900.
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