The Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation (Sunmark Foundation) announced the recipients of the seventh annual ICU Awards. In celebration of International Credit Union Day (ICU Day), which is celebrated on the third Thursday of October and celebrates the spirit of the global credit union movement, the Sunmark Foundation honors two individuals and four organizations that have contributed their time, talent, or treasure to better our communities, living out the credit union philosophy of people helping people. Honorees will be celebrated throughout the coming weeks on Sunmark Credit Union’s social media channels.

The four recipients of the People Helping People recognition include The Caring Closet; Inclusive Saratoga; Operation at Ease; and MendbyMe. Each organization will receive a donation from the Sunmark Foundation to assist them in their mission.

This year’s Susan V. Siegel Community Service Leader Award was presented to Seth Harris, for his outstanding contributions to education and community initiatives. Including his help with creating a sustainable StoryWalk, in which children could walk along a hiking trail and stop at kiosks along the way to read picture books.

This year’s “It’s Cool to Be Kind” Student Award, was presented to Shreya Sharath. She is the founder of GleeBoxx, a student-led initiative dedicated to spreading kindness and joy through curated boxes filled with thoughtful gifts for those in need.

“The Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation is proud to continue the tradition of recognizing organizations and individuals who embody the true spirit of service,” said Audrey Stone, Sunmark Community Engagement Manager and Vice President of the Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation. “Through the ICU Awards, we’re able to celebrate those who give their time and talent to strengthen our communities. Each of this year’s recipients reflects the best of what it means to live the credit union philosophy of people helping people.”

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About the Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation: The establishment of the Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation in 2015 has expanded Sunmark Credit Union’s abilities to support local, nonprofit organizations in our fourteen-county charter area by providing financial contributions, in-kind services, and volunteer support. There are zero administrative costs: 100% of every donation goes directly to helping those who need it. https://www.sunmark.org/foundation

About Sunmark Credit Union: Since 1937, Sunmark Credit Union ($1.2 billion in assets; 90,000+ members) has been helping members improve their financial position. Sunmark is committed to the financial health and well-being of each member by offering tools that educate and inform and products and services that make it easier to reach financial goals. For more information, call 866-SUNMARK or visit www.sunmark.org.

About The Caring Closet : The Caring Closet provides free personal hygiene products to students and families to help remove barriers to education, confidence, and well-being. Operated entirely by volunteers and funded through community donations, the organization discreetly supplies essentials throughout the Guilderland Central School District.

About Inclusive Saratoga: A nonprofit dedicated to disability inclusivity, Inclusive Saratoga partners with local organizations and businesses to create accessible spaces and experiences where people of all abilities can fully participate and thrive.

About Operation at Ease: Operation at Ease helps veterans and first responders train their own service dogs to assist with the lasting effects of post-traumatic stress. Through small group classes focused on obedience, task training, and real-life application, the program empowers participants with confidence, advocacy skills, and lifelong behavioral support.

About mendbyme: MendbyMe repurposes donated clothing and goods into free pop-up shops that provide essential resources to those in need while promoting sustainability and dignity.

About Seth Harris: Seth is a longtime educator at Shaker Junior High School. He’s worked tirelessly through organizations to provide unique and wholesome opportunities for children in his community. Some of the organizations Seth has worked with are the Glens Fall Symphony, YMCA Camp Chingachgook, Lake George Land Conservancy, and Lake George Association.

About Shreya Sharath: A student at Shaker High School, Shreya is passionate about helping others and creating positive change. She founded GleeBoxx, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering others and spreading joy through thoughtful care packages for those in need. Guided by compassion and creativity, Shreya’s mission is simple, to make a difference and bring a smile to someone’s face.