Our Sponsors

Friends of the West Fla Public Library Announces New Sponsor – My Pensacola Credit Union

The leaders of the Friends of the West Florida Public Library (FWFPL) and My Pensacola Credit Union are excited to announce that My Pensacola CU has become an official, annual sponsor of the FWFPL for 2024.

The FWFPL is a nonprofit organization whose members promote public interest in the Library by supporting educational programs for adults and children, promoting the use of the libraries’ resources and services, receiving and encouraging gifts and bequests to the West Florida Public Library, supporting the Library in developing library services and facilities for the community, and supporting the freedom to read as expressed in the American Library Association Bill of Rights.

The primary way the FWFPL does this is through fundraising book sales held 3 or 4 times a year. While the books sold are donated, these events have costs, including administrative expenses, supplies (such as the bags used on Sundays) and the price of a rental truck that is needed to move pallets of books from the Friends’ warehouse to the library location on Spring Street.

My Pensacola CU’s leadership also believes that a strong library system is an indication of a strong community. When the Credit Union heard about the sales, they realized they could help keep more of the funds raised dedicated to library support by assisting the Friends by covering the book sales’ operational costs.

“When I was first approached about this possibility, I was thrilled to find out this local business that has been here for 70 years was interested in partnering with us in our 50th year!” said Linda Williams, FWFPL President. “Conversations have already started about ways we will be able to work together to encourage public support for our mission to advocate for literacy and learning as well as supporting our library systems.”

“As a corporate sponsor, My Pensacola CU is dedicated to helping Friends of West Florida Public Library succeed in their mission to improve literacy,” states James Phetteplace, President and CEO of My Pensacola Credit Union. “We are excited to partner with an organization that aligns with our goals to improve our local communities when it comes to various forms of literacy and education. Together our efforts and reach will have a greater positive impact on many.”

In addition to a financial donation to help fund the book sales, this new partnership may also include Credit Union team members volunteering at book sales, providing publicity for Friends events in their branches, and even the possibility of teaming up to offer mini book sales at their branch locations.

Founded in 1953, My Pensacola Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative run for the benefits of those who are member-owners of the Credit Union. The earnings of the Credit Union, after expenses and reserves, are returned to the member-owners in the form of higher dividends, low-cost loans, and services. They believe in making a positive difference in people’s lives by listening and providing individual solutions with integrity via the financial products and services they offer.

Any person who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Escambia County, Florida, may belong to the Credit Union by opening a share (savings) account with a $5 membership deposit. The $5 deposit allows for a member’s active membership/ownership of the Credit Union, securing their membership for life no matter
where they may live. As of December 2023, the Credit Union had approximately $84M in assets with approximately 4,600 members.

“The Friends are fortunate that My Pensacola Credit Union chose the Friends as an organization they want to sponsor and be associated with as part of their support of our community,” added Williams. “We are hoping this is just the beginning of a fantastic working relationship.”

For more information: Read about activities and news from the Friends and My Pensacola CU by visiting their websites and following them on Facebook: 

https://Friendsofwfpl.org, www.facebook.com/FriendsOfWFPL, MyPensacolaCU.com, www.facebook.com/MyPensacolaCU