MECU Credit Union staff members were on hand to cheer on Baltimore City Public Schools students and teachers as they embarked on their first day of the 2023-24 academic school year.

More than three dozen employees greeted a collective 385 teachers and professional staff members and 2,800 students across four MECU partner schools:

• Cross Country Elementary/Middle School, 6900 Park Heights Ave.
• Hamilton Elementary/Middle School, 6101 Old Harford Rd.
• National Academy Foundation Middle/High School, 540 N. Caroline St.
• Northwood Elementary School, 5201 Loch Raven Blvd.

The MECU volunteers arrived as early as 6:45 a.m. to begin cheering, waving “welcome back” signs, shaking pom poms, returning high fives and fist bumps, and encouraging teachers, staff, students, and parents on this exciting day.

In addition to greeting the school communities in person, MECU staff hand-delivered hundreds of school supplies for students at these and other partner schools. The credit union also provided teachers and professional staff with MECU-branded lunch bags, post-it notes, pens, lanyards, and hand sanitizer.

“Thank you to MECU for these much-needed supplies!” Northwood Elementary School Principal Erita Adams told the volunteers. “And thank you for coming out this morning and sharing your enthusiasm with the students and staff!”

MECU was founded as the Municipal Employees’ Credit Union in 1936, specifically as a financial partner for Baltimore City personnel, such as public school employees. This group remains one of the largest constituencies that the credit union serves.

“We are proud and pleased to support the people who make such an impact on our youth in some new and direct ways this year,” said John M. Hamilton, MECU President and CEO. “Many of the volunteers sincerely enjoyed this experience, and we are already brainstorming about how they can continue to connect with Baltimore City Public Schools in the future.”