Donate to the Annual Back-to-School Supply Drive

Create CU’s 8th Annual Back-to-School Supply Drive is underway, and we need your help getting local students ready for a successful school year. Donations are being accepted now through July 31.

There are several easy ways to get involved:

• Drop off new school supplies at any of our six branch locations.
• Purchase school supplies from our Amazon Wish List and have them shipped directly to our Tenaya branch.
• Make a monetary donation at a branch, or by calling 702-228-2228 and transferring funds from your account.

Most-needed items include:

• Backpacks
• Notebooks
• Folders
• Pencils
• Crayons
• Glue sticks
• Scissors
• Headphones

Thank you for helping make a difference for local students and families. Every donation, big or small, helps students start the school year with confidence. You can also support the drive by following us on Facebook, Instagram and X and sharing our Back-to-School Supply Drive posts with friends and family.

Mid-Year Checkup: How's Your Emergency Fund Growing?

We’re halfway through the year – an ideal time to pause and check in on your emergency savings. A strong emergency fund can help you stay financially steady when life throws unexpected expenses your way, like car repairs or medical bills.

If you’re building your fund, here are a few simple tips to help you stay on track:

• Start small, stay consistent: Even $10-$25 per paycheck adds up over time.
• Automate your savings: Set up automatic transfers so saving happens before you can spend.
• Use extra money wisely: Receiving your tax refund, bonuses or even cash gifts are great opportunities to boost your savings quickly.
• Keep it separate: Storing your emergency fund in a dedicated account helps reduce the temptation to spend it.
• Utilize deposit accounts: Money market accounts are ideal for growing your emergency fund while maintaining liquidity and flexibility, and certificates of deposit (CDs) are best for longer-term savings you don’t need immediate access to, offering higher, fixed returns.

To help you build a stronger financial foundation, the credit union offers free budgeting tools, interactive lessons, and savings calculators through Banzai to help you create a plan that fits your lifestyle and goals. For regular financial tips, follow Create CU on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Generations of Trust: Michelle’s Lifelong Connection to Create Credit Union

Michelle N. has been a proud member of Create Credit Union since 1981. “My father, Hashim, joined the credit union while serving as a police officer - back when you had a very small office in the basement of City Hall in Las Vegas,” she said. “So, I guess you could say my father brought me to CCU. One of the first of many wise financial moves, he guided my brother and I to follow him,” Michelle said.

When asked what sets the Credit Union apart, Michelle says Create has always treated us like family. Always. “To MY credit union, I am not just a number,” she said. “I am greeted by name when I enter my usual branch. They take great care to explain things and handle every transaction like they were dealing with their own family members. My father passed away last year which required a huge learning curve as far as financial decisions - setting up trust accounts, handling final wishes, etc. They were there with compassion, every step of the way - and many of the employees at the Windmill branch remember dealing with my father on several occasions as well. Our family goes to the Lake Mead branch, and it feels like an extension of my own home every time I go in there.”

Over the years, Create Credit Union has helped Michelle achieve her financial goals. “Create has always provided a safe place for our nest egg(s) allowing it to grow and flourish at excellent rates. We have several CDs, as well as money market accounts and annuities to make sure all our eggs are not in one basket! The majority of our car loans have been through the credit union as well, and wise financial decisions over the years have led to the last couple cars being purchased in cash, saving interest and time. Create has saved us lots of money over the years, and our investments will continue to grow and bless our future generations long after we are gone.”

Michelle frequently recommends Create Credit Union to others. “I always tell people that if you want to feel like a name and not a number - Create is the place to be! Their rates are competitive and they have some products and services that really cannot be duplicated at a bank or other credit union. But by far – the SERVICE and care is the thing I talk up the most. It puts MY credit union miles ahead of any other.”

Thank you, Michelle, for being such a loyal and valued member of Create Credit Union!

Create CU + Three Square = Helping Thousands of Local Children 

Create Credit Union recently partnered with Three Square to support individuals and families facing food insecurity in Southern Nevada. This volunteer opportunity reflects the credit union’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the community and giving back where it matters most.

Credit union volunteers assisted with a variety of important tasks that help keep Three Square’s operations running smoothly. Activities included packing Kids Cafe meals for local children and families, sorting and organizing donated food items, and assisting with meal preparation. Create CU volunteers prepared 3,527 kids meals and 1,295 snacks for kids in our community. They also helped prepare 1,500 bags that will be used to send out fresh produce through Meals on Wheels. Each task plays a vital role in ensuring that nutritious meals are prepared, packaged, and distributed efficiently to those in need.

To learn more about Three Square and volunteer opportunities, visit www.threesquare.org/.