Fort Walton Beach, Fla.- Eglin Federal Credit Union has partnered with Okaloosa Saves for the annual Teach Children to Save campaign April 1 – June 30. Youth, 17 and younger, are encouraged to set a savings goal and make a deposit into their savings account. Their names will be entered into a random drawing for 10 children to win a $50 deposit into their savings account from Okaloosa Saves.
Participating banks and credit unions include:
CCB Bank in Niceville
Eglin Federal Credit Union
MidSouth Bank
Okaloosa County Teachers Federal Credit Union
Origin Bank
PenFed in Shalimar
Renasant Bank
United Fidelity
Last year, 102 youths from Eglin FCU and Renasant Bank under the age of 18 participated in the Okaloosa Saves Teach a Child to Save campaign, with deposits totaling $27,058.82. Since the program began in 2004, 2,497 children have made deposits totaling $420,668.34.
Eglin Federal Credit Union President and CEO Cathie Staton said, “Each year, we look forward to the Teach a Child to Save campaign because building strong financial habits early in life is one of the most meaningful gifts we can give the next generation. Teaching children the importance of saving not only helps them understand the value of money, but also equips them with lifelong skills in responsibility, planning, and goal setting. For more than 20 years, Eglin Federal Credit Union has been honored to partner with Okaloosa Saves to support financial education across Northwest Florida. Financial wellness helps build stronger families which ripples outward to strengthen entire communities.”
“Our Teach a Child to Save campaign is a valuable program to teach children in northwest Florida the importance of thoughtful financial management,” said Okaloosa Saves Board Chair Laura Coale. “Each year, we’re excited to bring back our youth savings program because building smart money habits early makes a lifelong difference.”
Savings Tips for Parents:
- Talk about the importance of budgeting and saving money
- Visit your local Eglin FCU branch to open a savings account or deposit into an existing account
- Teach the basics of investing
- Encourage them to be entrepreneurs
- Be a role model
- For additional information and rules, visit Okaloosa Saves.
Follow Eglin FCU on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn or visit www.eglinfcu.org for news and financial education updates. If you are interested in working at Eglin FCU, check out Careers at Eglin FCU.
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Eglin Federal Credit Union was chartered in 1954 and is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial institution, federally regulated by the National Credit Union Administration. Membership includes military (active, retired, reserves and veterans), civil service and US Government affiliations on Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field, Duke Field, Camp Rudder and 7th Special Forces Group. Membership includes anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school within our Geographic Field of Membership and anyone who is related to or lives with an Eglin FCU member. Membership also includes over 1,000 Select Employee Groups in Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, Escambia, FL counties and Escambia County, AL.
About Okaloosa Saves
Okaloosa Saves, a part of the national America Saves program, was founded in 2003 as a 501(c)3 encouraging individuals to build wealth and reduce debt. In 2025, the organization was awarded the Savings champion Award by America Saves. Learn more at okaloosasaves.com.
About America Saves
America Saves is a non-profit organization that uses principles of behavioral economics and social marketing to motivate, encourage and support everyday Americans to save money, reduce debt, build wealth and create better financial habits. America Saves encourages individuals and families to take the America Saves pledge, a tool that empowers them to commit to save successfully with a plan. Thousands of non-profit, government, and corporate organizations partner with America Saves through local, regional, statewide and national campaigns both year-round and during America Saves Week. America Saves is an initiative of the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), a non-profit, pro-consumer organization of over 270 consumer education, advocacy, and cooperative members dedicated to advancing consumer interest. Learn more at americasaves.org.
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