If you’re a credit union and you want the community to know you’re celebrating 75 years of service plus you’d like to do something to “give back,” what do you do? Georgia Heritage Federal Credit Union’s management team decided to sponsor a free band concert for the public. That was the easy part; now they had to figure out the logistics to pull off such an event. 

As they explored venues for the band, Susan Smith at the Savannah Chamber of Commerce suggested a partnership with the Savannah Waterfront Association. After meeting with Jodi Clark, sponsorship sales manager, and supplying a CD of the band’s music, Georgia Heritage was approved to bring the band of their choice – The Fabulous Boomers Band from Macon, Georgia – to the Savannah Seafood Fest on Saturday, May 2. 

It was a “marriage of convenience” for both organizations. The Savannah Seafood Fest had a sponsored band for the Saturday 7:00-10:00 p.m. concert slot at Rousakis Plaza on River Street. And Georgia Heritage had the perfect opportunity to thank the community for its long-time support.

In April 1940, the credit union was founded as the Union Bag Federal Credit Union to serve the employees of the Union Bag Corporation working at the Savannah paper factory. In 1966, the credit union changed its name to Union Camp Savannah Federal Credit Union to coincide with the new name of its sponsor group. 

Having remained a single sponsor organization for 59 years, the credit union changed its name to Georgia heritage FCU in 1999 when Union Camp was purchased by International Paper. In 2006, Georgia Heritage FCU received a community charter, which allows anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Chatham, Effingham and Bryan counties to join. 

With an asset size of over $85 million, Georgia Heritage now has three branches. In addition to its original branch located in front of International Paper on West Lathrop Avenue, a second branch was opened in Pooler in 2012. About a year ago, a third branch opened in the Stephenson Executive Center at the corner of Stephenson Avenue and Habersham Street on Savannah’s Southside.

“We continue to strengthen our brand in the Savannah Metropolitan Area,” said President/CEO Dale Taratuta. “Our vision is to build life-long relationships with everyone we serve. We’re looking forward to The Fabulous Boomers concert on May 2, and hope the community will hear our ‘thank you’ loud and clear!”