First Harvest Credit Union’s Charitable Journey Program Fundraises for Mental Health Awareness Month

First Harvest Credit Union employees are fundraising throughout May for Mental Health Awareness Month to support the Center for Family Services, which offers mental health services, counseling, support, and treatment options throughout Southern New Jersey. Through First Harvest’s Charitable Journey program, employees and members can donate by purchasing green ribbons and including a personalized message on them. The ribbons will be displayed in First Harvest branch locations.

Charitable Journey is an employee-led program established in 2015 by a volunteer group of First Harvest employees passionate about serving the community. In addition to its quarterly fundraising initiatives supporting various charities, the program also collects funds in October for breast cancer research and awareness and to purchase gift cards that help families in need during the holiday season in the counties First Harvest serves. Since its inception, the Charitable Journey program has donated more than $70,000 to local charities and organizations.

First Harvest members and community residents can make a minimum $1 donation at any of First Harvest’s branch locations to receive a personalized green ribbon, which will be displayed in the branch all month long. In addition, First Harvest employees are taking part in a “Green-Out” dress-down Wednesday in May to demonstrate their support for the cause.

“Our Charitable Journey’s new Green Ribbon Program reflects our credit union’s commitment to supporting the entire well-being of our employees and the communities we proudly serve,” said First Harvest President & CEO Mike Dinneen. “Mental health touches every life, and Mental Health Awareness Month offers a meaningful opportunity to raise awareness, encourage access to support and treatment options, and help break the stigma that too often surrounds these important conversations. I am incredibly proud of our employees for championing this new initiative and for their commitment to the communities we’re part of.”