Local Navy Federal Credit Union Earns Honor

Having a dedicated contingent of team members to volunteer their time and energy to a local nonprofit has its benefits.

With dozens of its team members from more than two dozen locations across San Diego County offering nearly 700 hours of volunteer time to the Armed Services of San Diego YMCA (ASYMCA) last year, Navy Federal Credit Union was recently selected as the local group’s “Community Partner of the Year” for 2022.

Among the year’s highlights, according to Luz Cordero-Lazott, AVP of branch operations at Navy Federal, more than 80 Navy Federal volunteers fought food insecurity for active duty servicemembers and their families by donating 344 hours to the nonprofit’s food pantry.

Cordero-Lazott, who since 2020 has served on the board for San Diego ASYMCA, said that on a bi-monthly basis, volunteers helped collect, organize and distribute food to those in need within the community.

“As the world’s largest credit union, we place great emphasis on knowing our audiences, many of which include military families,” Cordero-Lazott said. “As a military spouse for over 19 years, it brings me great pride knowing that my volunteer work benefits active duty servicemembers and their families.”

Cordero-Lazott said she grew up in a military family and saw from a young age how her own family benefited from the community that was built by different families at each duty station.

“We came together and took care of one another,” she said. “It is a beautiful concept, so being able to give back to military families allows me the chance to pay it forward.”

During last year’s winter holidays, Navy Federal volunteers showed their giving spirit through the San Diego ASYMCA’s Operation Holiday Joy program. The program brings holiday cheer to children of active-duty parents who are either deployed or struggling to provide gifts during the season. More than 40 Navy Federal team members volunteered more than 170 hours for the event.

Earlier in the year, more than 20 volunteers got their hands dirty to support the nonprofit’s Military FUN Day at a local horse ranch where team members donated more than 170 volunteer hours.

For more than 100 years, the San Diego ASYMCA has been supporting more than 170,000 San Diego based active-duty military service members and their families with over 40 no-cost or low-cost programs, services and special events.

Coming events this year include the ASY Golf Classic on March 20 at Sycuan Golf Resort, a May 20 May Ride motorcycle event that’s been held annually since 2003 and a Fall Festival at Horse of the Sun Ranch in Pine Valley in October.

The San Diego ASYMCA is committed to promoting its goals of strengthening military families, supporting healthy lifestyles, reducing isolation and assisting service members and their families in connecting to their community, according to Tim Ney, Executive Director of the Armed Services YMCA San Diego.

“We are extremely grateful for the support of Navy Federal Credit Union, which provides volunteers for all our community events throughout the year,” Ney said.

Richard Allen, vice president, branch operations at Navy Federal Credit Union said that Navy Federal employees recognize the sacrifices that active duty servicemembers make.

“Being able to help them and their families truly is an honor,” Allen said. “We appreciate the commitment and service of the Armed Services YMCA and are glad that our team members have the opportunity to donate their time, treasure and talent to such an amazing cause.”

Cordero-Lazott said that her favorite part of working with the organization is providing support to the families of our servicemembers through programs and services that are relevant to the unique challenges of military life, “especially during stressful times when family members are on tour, doing our part to provide comfort is the most rewarding aspect of the job.”

She said she was honored to receive the award on behalf of Navy Federal. “It represents our commitment to giving back to our military communities and serving with excellence.”

Established in 1933 with only seven members, Navy Federal Credit Union now serves more than 12 million members globally and is the world’s largest credit union. The member-owned and not-for-profit organization employs more than 22,000 people and has a global network of 355 branches.

Navy Federal Credit Union

FOUNDED: 1933
FOUNDERS: Seven Navy department employees
CEO: Mary McDuffie
HEADQUARTERS: Vienna, Virginia
BUSINESS: Member-owned not-for-profit credit union
ASSETS: $153 Billion (2021)
EMPLOYEES: 22,000+
WEBSITE: navyfederal.org
CONTACT: 888-842-6328
SOCIAL IMPACT: Navy Federal creates intentional partnerships with nonprofits that align with its values.
NOTABLE: Since 1933, Navy Federal Credit Union has grown from seven members to more than 12 million members. Its vision statement has remained focused on serving its unique field of membership: “Be the most preferred and trusted financial institution serving the military and their families.”