Firestone CU, a participating member of the community

Like any other member of the Orange County community, Firestone Credit Union did not escape the wrath of Ike. There was so much damage at the Bridge City location, there was a possibility it would not reopen.

Money had to be hand “laundered” and safety deposit boxes required drilling to open, spilling forth water along with its valuable and sometimes ruined contents.

It was months before the Orange and BC branches reopened, but both recently held grand re-opening ribbon cuttings.

Fully immersing themselves back into the community, they have started to give back. Employees have entered the D.E.S.K. programs “Battle of the Credit Unions,” which runs from May 2-June 17. Of the three branches in Orange County, the branch managers of the two losing Firestone CUs have to kiss a pig.

Crystal Vidrine, teller supervisor of the Bridge City branch says besides being a drop-off for school supplies and donations, they are also holding “Wacky Wednesdays.” Each week the employees do something a little out of the ordinary.

The first week they had to wear their shirts inside out. Last week was punk rock hair day. They had to wear their hair in Mohawks.

Today is “hat day.”

They pay $1 each to participate, but if they choose not to participate, it costs $2. They also pay $2 to wear jeans that day.

They will draw for a raffled Mother’s Day Basket Friday. Tickets are $1 and there is still time to purchase them. They will also offer a Father’s Day Basket to be raffled May 16.

Bake sales will be held in the BC Branch on Fridays, May 8 and June 5.

May 30, the branch will also participate in the Children’s Miracle Network by manning the phone bank for an hour. It is scheduled to be held in the Christus Outpatient Pavilion in Beaumont.

FCU will continue to be an active part of the local community.

Anyone wishing to participate in the D.E.S.K. program has many upcoming opportunities. Their schedule of events is as follows:

May 16 – Vidor Project Graduation and D.E.S.K. Car Show will be from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at the Capital One parking lot. The entry fee is $25 per car or bike, $25 per booth for venders. Contact Tonia Howerton at (409) 550-3165.

June 14 – D.E.S.K. Bowl-A-Thon will be at 1 p.m. at CrossRoads Bowling Center. Cost is $100 per team.

July 26 – D.E.S.K. Bowling Tournament registrations will be at 1 p.m., at CrossRoads Bowling Center. Cost is $8 which includes two games and shoes.

Sept. 18-19 – D.E.S.K. Trail Ride with Southeast Texas Trailriders. Sign-up is at noon on the 18th at 2395 County Road 2300 in Woodville. Trail ride leaves at 9:30 a.m. on the 19th. Cost is $10, wagons are welcome.

Oct. 10 – D.E.S.K. Golf Tournament will be held at Brentwood Country Club. Tee times to be announced. Sign up early for this four-man scramble. Entry fee is $75.

Contact Jenifer Phillips at (409) 466-7135 with any questions on D.E.S.K. events.