 Meet Alexandria (Alex) Hinkson, who joined Red Canoe Credit Union in October 2023 as the Covington branch manager. If she looks familiar, Alexandria was the big winner of the Ugly Sweater contest at our nonprofit fundraiser. (Rumor has it, she made the sweater herself.) Alexandria and her husband moved to Washington from San Diego, where she had worked for another credit union for 16 years. “I love working with credit unions – the community involvement and always putting our members first,” Alexandria said. Red Canoe Credit Union (27022 176th Pl. SE, Covington, WA 98042) opened its Covington branch in October 2017. Celebrating six years in Covington, Red Canoe has been active in the community and with the Covington Chamber ever since. Bridget O’Connor, community engagement officer, is a local favorite, supporting community events including litter clean-up, Covington Days, Kids’ Fest and local career fairs as well as supporting nonprofit fundraisers including See Ya Later Foundation, Eileen & Callie’s Place and Vine Maple Place, to name a few. One of the organization’s biggest annual initiatives is their Fill the Canoe school supply drive, done each summer to ensure all kids have the school supplies they need to start off the school year right. Bridget has also served as the Covington Chamber’s board chair since October 2022 and has been instrumental in helping the organization grow. Originally launched in 1937, Red Canoe Credit Union is a non-for-profit financial cooperative, owned by its members. They are a full-service institution offering a range of products for individuals and businesses, including free financial wellness products for families and businesses. Some* of their products and services include: Individual products include these products and more:
Business products include these products and more:
*This list of products and services is not exhaustive. Check with your local Red Canoe branch for more information. Red Canoe Credit Union has 11 locations across Washington and in Oregon (in Linn, Benton, Lane, Marion and Polk Counties). This member-focused credit union is FDIC insured. To learn more, stop by and say “hi” to the friendly staff at the Covington branch or visit their booths at local Covington events. You’ll be sure to see them! “We value our members, and our goal is fitting them to the best product for their needs,” Alexandria said. “Our employees really focus on educating our members on the products we have.” The Covington branch has a team of six employees, including Alexandria, plus regional support from other branches and managers. Thanks, Red Canoe, for all you do for the community.
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 If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. Cheryl Hurst is one of those busy people. If she sees a need, she fills it. In 2014, while volunteering at DAWN for Federal Way Rotary, Cheryl saw many moms, babies and toddlers come through the door. Yet DAWN’s supply of diapers was minimal, adding further stress to families in crisis. Cheryl said, “I can fix this!” That’s how the first March of Diapers diaper drive got started in King and Pierce Counties. The first year, with the help of the 751 Machinists Union collected 15,300 Diapers and nearly 3,000 wipes for four nonprofits, DAWN, Multi-Service Center and Mary’s Place, Two Hearts Pregnancy Aid, As the diaper drive grew, in 2018, Cheryl founded Do The Right Thing as a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Though the organization is all volunteer run, it has continued to grow. Last year, 80 businesses in 15 cities collected 412,019 diapers and 137,125 wipes. Businesses and organizations in the following cities participated:
The goal for 2024 is 500,000 diapers! Businesses sign up online in January and early February each year to be a collector location for the March of Diapers diaper drive. They collect diapers (for infants, toddlers and seniors) and wipes throughout the month of March. During the first week of April, Cheryl and her husband John go to each of the collector sites to pick up the diapers and take them to their storage facility where they are counted and sorted by countless volunteers. The diapers and wipes are then distributed through various nonprofits like the Maple Valley Food Bank, Brooklake Church, Children’s Home Society, Communities in Schools Federal Way/Highline, Foster Champs, Pediatric Interim Care Center, Mother Africa, DAWN, Foster Champs, Carenet of Puget Sound, We Love Kent (who helps multiple organizations), Nourish Food Bank, Auburn Food Bank, Federal Way Senior Center, Fusion (helping Families with Children into homes), Parent Child Assistance Program & Prepares. Why is Cheryl so passionate about this cause? “Babies didn’t ask to be born to people who can’t afford diapers,” Cheryl said. She said the need is great for infants, toddlers and older adults, and resources are limited. Kids need 8 to 10 diapers a day to take to daycare before a daycare will accept them, so not having diapers is a dealbreaker. Having diapers can help families get back to work. The most needed sizes are 4, 5, 6, 7 and pull-ups for kids and any for seniors. The diaper drive will accept opened packages and loose diapers. Baby and hygiene wipes are also needed. In addition to the diaper drive, Do The Right Thing is hosting its first gala on Sat., March 9 at the Federal Way Community Center. The goal of the gala is to provide funding for the organization, so they can pay a Diaper Bank Director in the next year, cover costs that Cheryl and her husband are currently paying out of pocket, etc. Here are some ways you can help Do The Right Thing:
In addition, the Covington Chamber will host a diaper drive at our March 14, 2024 networking luncheon. We’ll accept diapers and wipes for kids and seniors. You can also make a donation directly to Do The Right Thing. A big thank you to Cheryl, the Do The Right Thing board, volunteers and participating businesses and donors! It takes a village to raise a child. It also takes a village to keep a child or older adult in diapers.  Looking for a staycation or need extra room for guests? LaQuinta Inn of Wyndham (225 6th St. SE, Auburn, WA 98002) is just 8 miles away from Covington on Hwy. 18. This newly remodeled hotel is conveniently located and includes all the amenities you need at an affordable price:
Stay in comfort while just minutes away from neighboring cities, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, accesso ShoWare, Emerald Downs, Muckleshoot Casino Resort, and more. As an added bonus, scan the QR code on the flyer to receive a special Covington Chamber discount! La Quinta Inn joined the Chamber in January 2023 and, in September, hosted our first morning coffee meet-and-greet featuring free breakfast and a tour! The rooms were spacious, tastefully decorated, modern and clean while being convenient. The staff was very warm and friendly, and we recommend LaQuinta Inn as a great local lodging option. 
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