News

A+ Appreciation Grant: Honoring Outstanding Teachers

In celebration of National Teacher Appreciation Week, TruNorthern is proud to launch our first-ever A+ Appreciation Grant—a special opportunity for students to recognize the incredible educators who go above and beyond.

Students in all counties we serve are invited to nominate a teacher who has made a lasting impact. One deserving educator will be selected to receive a $500 grant for the 2025–2026 school year. The funds may be used for classroom supplies, projects, or anything that supports continued student inspiration and success.

To request a nomination form or submit a completed one, please email marketing@trunorthernfcu.org.

Let’s celebrate the teachers who shape our futures—because every great future starts with a great teacher.

A+ Appreciation Month Grant – Contest Terms & Conditions

Eligibility
Open to teachers 18 or older, currently employed full- or part-time at a public or private school in St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, or Essex counties in New York. TruNorthern employees, board members, supervisory committee members, and their immediate families are not eligible.

Contest Period
Nominations are accepted May 1–31, 2025, and must be received by 11:59 PM ET on May 31 to be considered.

Prize
One nominated teacher will receive a $500 grant for use during the 2025–2026 school year. The winner can choose to receive:

• A direct grant (with an approved usage form), or

• A donation made to their school or classroom.

TruNorthern may request documentation of how the funds were used. If the prize is declined or unclaimed, an alternate winner may be selected.

Winner Selection
All valid nominations will be reviewed by a TruNorthern staff committee. The winner will be selected based on the content of the submitted essay and notified by June 30, 2025. A response is required within 7 days to claim the prize.

General Conditions
Limit one entry per person and one per teacher. No cash alternatives or substitutions. Contest is void where prohibited. TruNorthern reserves the right to cancel or modify the contest if necessary. By entering, participants may be contacted for marketing purposes (opt-out available).

Liability & Privacy
By entering, participants release TruNorthern, its employees, board, and affiliates from liability related to the contest or prize. Personal information will be used only to administer the contest and in accordance with TruNorthern’s privacy policy.

Disputes & Legal Compliance
All contest decisions made by TruNorthern are final. The contest is subject to all applicable laws. If any part of these terms is found to be invalid, the remaining provisions will still apply.

For full Terms and Conditions, email marketing@trunorthernfcu.org to request a copy.

Important Update: Card Management System Upgrade – Action May Be Required Starting May 5

We’re upgrading our card management system on May 5, bringing you new features like enhanced spend tracking, better card controls, and an improved mobile experience — all designed to give you more clarity, more control, and greater peace of mind.

As part of this upgrade, debit cards with expiration dates prior to and including November 2025 will require a PIN update to continue working for PIN-based transactions. If your card is affected, you will need to call 800-992-3808 starting May 5^th to reset your PIN.

You can still use your card for PIN-less transactions at point-of-sale (POS) systems without interruption.

Affected cardholders can begin calling to update their PIN on May 5.

Please watch for further updates, and thank you for your attention to this important change.

1. Eligibility: This contest is open to all members of the TruCrew, which includes Top Fans, Rising Fans, New Followers, and anyone on our weekly engagement list. Participants must be 18 years or older to enter. Employees, immediate family members (parents, siblings, children), and members of the board and supervisory committee are not eligible to win.

2. Contest Duration:

• The contest will run from April 22nd, 2025 to April 25th, 2025.
• A winner will be selected on April 25th, 2025.

3. How to Participate:

• To enter, simply comment on the designated TruCrew Challenge post on April 22nd, 2025.
• No additional actions are required.
• The contest ends on April 25th, 2025.

4. Prize:

• The winner will receive a prize, which will be announced on the contest post.
• The prize will be awarded to one participant selected at random from the valid entries.

5. Winner Selection: The winner will be randomly selected from all valid comments on the designated TruCrew Challenge post. The winner will be contacted directly via Facebook Messenger and announced on social media.

6. No Purchase Necessary: No purchase or payment is required to enter or win the contest.

7. Third Party Disclaimer: This contest is not affiliated with Facebook, Instagram, or any third-party websites. By entering, participants release Facebook, Instagram, and any other third parties from any and all liability related to this contest.

8. Personal Information: We will never ask for personal information (e.g., passwords or credit card details) through social media platforms. If we require any further information to claim the prize, we will contact you privately via Facebook Messenger.

9. Winner Announcement: The winner will be announced on April 28th, 2025, on our social media channels and contacted directly via Facebook Messenger.

10. Terms and Conditions: By entering the contest, participants agree to abide by these Terms and Conditions.

11. Privacy: Your participation in this contest will not be used for any marketing or promotional purposes without your consent.

12. Contest Void Where Prohibited: This contest is void where prohibited by law.

13. Additional Terms:

• By participating, you agree to allow the use of your name and/or social media handle for promotional purposes if you are selected as a winner.

Owl’s Head | The American Heroes Flagpoles Foundation is a 501©3 nonprofit organization that has the mission to donate 100 hand-made traditional wooden flagpoles to deserving combat veterans, in conjunction with a dedication ceremony. Each flagpole is valued at $5,000, which is donated by the Foundation.

Each flagpole donated includes delivery, installation, and military ceremony with Honor Guard, all at no cost to the recipients. All flagpoles are twenty-five feet tall, made of Northern Red Oak and can be coated with a clear varnish or gloss white yacht paint finish, and include a custom powder coated mountain mounting base along with rigging and hardware.

Qualifying veterans must meet the following criteria:

-          Combat wounded, combat disabled and/or combat decorated.

-          Submit an application and DD-214, along with summary of military record

-          Supply three references and a letter of request from the applicant

-          Must have served a conflict, war, or era

-          Must have served in any branch of service or rank.

Veteran application forms are available on the American Heroes Flagpoles Foundation website at www.americanheroesflagpoles.com , by emailing DK-1@mail.com, or one can call (518) 534-4033 and a form will be mailed to the requester. Veterans looking for assistance completing the form can also call.

Danny Kaifetz, director of the Foundation has produced the finest traditional wooden flagpoles in North America, over five hundred in total in forty-four states and in four foreign countries. Upon his retirement, he set up a new shop in Owl’s Head and founded the Foundation.

TruNorthern Federal Credit Union, a local credit union based out of Malone, has recently partnered with the American Heroes Flagpoles Foundation with the mission to sponsor three flagpoles over the next three years, for a total value of $15,000.00. 

When uploading a signed check through our mobile app, please remember to properly endorse the check and also include either:

·         Writing “for mobile deposit only” on the check

·         Checking the mobile deposit box

Without properly endorsing the check, our team is unable to process the check, resulting in a declined deposit. Mobile deposits cannot exceed $2,500.00. 

Program #1: Busy Bee Accounts (Ages 0-12) – “Hive in Five” & “Ten for Ten”

Terms and Conditions:
Eligibility: The Busy Bee rewards program is open to primary account holders of a TruNorthern FCU Busy Bee Account, ages 0-12.
Earning Stamps: The primary account holder must be physically present and make a deposit into their Busy Bee Account at a TruNorthern FCU branch to receive a stamp on their Rewards Card (“Card”).
Prizes:

• After five (5) stamps, the primary account holder may choose a prize from “The Hive.”
• After ten (10) stamps, TruNorthern FCU will deposit $10 directly into the Busy Bee Account.

Deposit Requirements: Only in-person deposits at a TruNorthern FCU branch qualify for earning stamps. Electronic transfers, direct deposits, and mobile deposits do not qualify.
Non-Transferable: Rewards, including stamps and prizes, are non-transferable and may only be redeemed by the primary account holder.
Program Changes: TruNorthern FCU reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the Busy Bee rewards program at any time without prior notice.
Lost Cards: TruNorthern FCU is not responsible for lost or damaged Rewards Cards. Stamps cannot be replaced if lost.
Participation: By participating in this program, the account holder and their parent/guardian acknowledge and agree to these terms and conditions. For any questions or additional details, please visit your nearest TruNorthern FCU branch or contact us directly.

Program #2: Hive Accounts (Ages 13-17) – “The Hive Challenge”

Terms and Conditions:
Eligibility: The Hive Challenge is open to primary account holders of a TruNorthern FCU Hive Account, ages 13-17.
Qualification Requirements:

• To earn the $10 reward, the account holder must:
• Deposit a minimum of $100 into their Hive Account upon account opening.
• Complete four (4) transactions within the same 30-day period.

Redemption: The account holder must visit a TruNorthern FCU branch in person to redeem the $10 reward.
One-Time Reward: The $10 reward is a one-time incentive and cannot be earned multiple times.
Non-Transferable: The reward is non-transferable and may only be deposited into the Hive Account of the qualifying account holder.
Program Changes: TruNorthern FCU reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the Hive Challenge program at any time without prior notice.
Account Standing: The account must be in good standing at the time of reward redemption. Overdrawn or inactive accounts may be disqualified.
Participation: By participating in this program, the account holder and their parent/guardian acknowledge and agree to these terms and conditions. For any questions or additional details, please visit your nearest TruNorthern FCU branch or contact us directly.