Vic Samuels

I am an AACPS: Business Partner | Donor

The below story is from the Behind the Scenes: Investing in our Future story. Click here to read the full story.

Investing in education is a priority that Vic Samuels, Vice President of Community Relations for Educational Systems Federal Credit Union (FCU), knows well. “In the general scope of things, giving—in addition to helping fill the gaps—is at the core, and very, very important to our future, Giving teaches our students how to give. Giving lets our teachers know that we appreciate everything that they do,” she says, “and we’re not always looking for something in return because it comes back to you…with students that are prepared to help us make giant leaps in the future. That’s really what it’s all about.” As a credit union focused on helping members of the educational community achieve their financial dreams, this fundamental belief in the power and importance of giving back is at the core of everything the Educational Systems FCU does.

Throughout Maryland, the Educational Systems FCU currently works with seven different public school systems and three community colleges to support education at all levels—including as a A+ sponsor for AACPS’ 21st Century Education Foundation. Every year the Educational Systems FCU sponsors 115,000 students from 350 elementary schools in its baseball reading program, donates 6,500 backpacks to middle school students, and awards over $40,000 in scholarships to local students and educators. In addition, to sponsorships and ongoing philanthropic initiatives, this business reminds its employees to make giving back a priority, as well. Each year, 100 employees volunteer over 759 hours to support local school reading programs, spelling bees, financial literacy seminars, science fairs, and other academic programs to further education within their community.

By offering their time, talent, and money, Educational Systems FCU helps ensure that our children have the tools they need to be successful after graduation. “How prepared [students] are for college or careers depends on what they get from the school system, and we want to be a part of that…,” Ms. Samuels says, “It’s about helping—it’s about helping this education community.” And the Educational System FCU knows that making this investment now will benefit their community in the future: “We want to have a part in [our local schools] because the school system wants to do the best to have the students be college and career ready; the businesses are looking for students to be career ready. It makes every sense in the world that you participate and you help to sponsor things and you give your input to get the output you’re looking for in the end. That’s really why all businesses need to participate with school systems in the counties that they serve.”