News

Heroes aren’t only found on movie screens and comic books! You can find them in the same neighborhood as you. Hometown Heroes are the individuals who serve as the backbone of our communities and country by keeping everyone safe. They devote their lives to protecting our country at home and abroad, or serving as first responders that show up at crime scenes, fires, accidents, natural disasters and so many other life-changing events where they put their lives at risk for all of us. They all have families waiting for their safe return home. They could be called out to a call anytime of the day or night. If they are a volunteer firefighter, likely they have a full-time job, along with offering their time to their local fire department for free. Volunteers are expected to respond to emergency calls and receive ongoing training.

As a thank you and to show all of our Hometown Heroes we appreciate their service, United Financial Credit Union started the Hometown Hero Program that offers special rates and perks to these individuals. If you or someone you know is a veteran, active military, or first responder, please check out what perks United Financial has to offer as a thank you for their service and dedication to our communities. Go to www.unitedfinancialcu.org/hometown-hero to learn more.

United Financial Credit Union would like to recognize our first Hometown Hero Nomination Winner, Don Ortega. Known by many as Fireman Don, he has taught fire safety for years. Don has dedicated his life to his local community. He led the Remember When Program for five years, teaching Senior Citizens fire safety. He has taught Fire Safety to thousands of children and students in the Freeland, Saginaw, and Grand Rapids communities over the past 30+ years and has won numerous awards, including Michigan Fire Prevention Educator of the Year and Tittabawassee Township Firefighter of the Year. He has spent his life giving back to his community, making it a safer place.

We would like to thank and congratulate Don once again for everything he does to be a Hometown Hero on a daily basis!