America’s Christian Credit Union (ACCU) is gearing up for a weeklong celebration of our heroes in the week leading up to the national holiday, Memorial Day. ACCU, in partnership with Project Glendora Yellow Ribbon, will host the 5th annual Patriot Week, May 21st through 25th at the Credit Union's headquarters in Glendora. Patriot Week is a tradition that began with the vision of inspiring the community to salute and support America’s every day and extraordinary heroes, including U.S. military, veterans, and first responders.
This year, the celebration will kick-off on Saturday, May 19th, when the ACCU staff teams up with Operation Community Cares (OCC) for Packing Day, an event dedicated to creating care packages to send to our deployed troops. Community members from far reaches of Los Angeles County to San Bernardino County will gather at Hillside Community Church to compile various care packages, filled with treats, toiletries, and hand-written notes. More information regarding the ongoing needs for care packages can be found on the ACCU and OCC Facebook pages.
The traditional Opening Ceremony will take place on May 22nd at 8 a.m. when heroes on the front lines are honored for their dedicated service to community and country. Representatives from OCC, American Legion Post 475 and Azusa Pacific University will be featured throughout the ceremony, speaking about the programs they provide to support our military and veterans. As a "thank you" to all who attend and participate in the week's activities, ACCU will be giving away special 60th gifts to commemorate this event in light of its diamond anniversary celebration.
The Patriot Week celebration will then wrap up on Thursday, May 24th with the Family Day & Awards Ceremony, during which Sgt. Chris Valenzuela Jr. will be recognized for his bravery and service to the United States Army and the Department of Defense; and for his philanthropy and ministry to serve our men and women in uniform. ACCU welcomes and invites active military, veterans, first responders, and community heroes to come out to be recognized for their admirable service and sacrifice for our country.
Throughout Patriot Week, ACCU will be raising funds to help OCC in their efforts to support our heroes. Community members are encouraged to stop by the ACCU Azusa and Glendora branches to make a donation toward OCC and sign a yellow ribbon to hang in support of our servicemen and women. Patriotic lanyards will also be available for purchase, with proceeds going towards Glendora Project Yellow Ribbon, to help cover the cost of replacing banners throughout the city.
For more information or to get involved in this year’s Patriot Week festivities, please contact Nikole Pearce at npearce@americasccu.com.