SMYRNA, Tenn.— One young student beamed with joy as she swapped out her plain water bottle for the colorful, name-brand version she really wanted while shopping with her mom. It was a small upgrade that made a big difference, thanks to Redstone Federal Credit Union’s Acts of Brightness campaign, which surprised local teachers and students with free school supplies.
Employees of Redstone visited Smyrna’s local Walmart and Target to purchase school supplies during Tennessee’s tax-free weekend. Backpacks, pencils, notebooks, and other essentials were among the items purchased. Excited kids chose the items that suited them best. Parents, initially stunned, quickly joined in the joy, expressing gratitude for the unexpected support.
Redstone’s Acts of Brightness originally began in 2017 as a small gesture tied to Random Acts of Kindness Day. Over time, it blossomed into one of Redstone’s most popular ‘give-back’ initiatives. This summer alone, Redstone spent more than $30,000 on surprise giveaways for the Smyrna community.
“I truly believe that what we focus on becomes what matters,” said Joe Newberry, president and CEO of Redstone. “Through Acts of Brightness, we’re focused on making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.”
In bright blue shirts, Redstone’s Brightness Crew cheerfully offered encouragement to youngshoppers, all while reinforcing their message, “We want to brighten your day.” As a credit union built on caring for community, Redstone seeks to foster an environment where everyone can thrive.
Among those who received free school supplies was Maddy Springs, a teacher at Simon Springs Community School. She initially planned to pick up a few items for her classroom but instead walked away with everything she needed for the entire year, including a laptop. Through tears, she described the acts as a “true blessing.”
The event marked the conclusion of Redstone’s summer-long celebration for the opening of its newest branch at 2005 Huggin Lane. Over the past several weeks, the Brightness Crew made surprise visits to local businesses across Smyrna. No membership was required. Redstone simply wanted to brighten lives with free gas, groceries, and even paying water bills.
Redstone looks forward to continuing its commitment to the community through future sponsorships, outreach events, and financial education opportunities, always aiming to brighten lives, one act at a time.
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About Redstone Federal Credit Union
With more than $7.72 billion in assets, Redstone Federal Credit Union is the largest member-owned financial institution in Alabama and one of the largest federal credit unions in the nation by assets. Redstone is based in Huntsville, Alabama, and serves hundreds of thousands of members nationwide. Chartered on November 28, 1951, Redstone Federal Credit Union has proudly served its members for more than 70 years and has 28 conveniently located branches across North Alabama and Tennessee. Redstone Federal Credit Union provides a level of service that is not generally available at other financial institutions through its philosophy of – People Helping People.
www.redfcu.org
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