Dakota West Offers National Child Safety Council Matching Funds Donation

(WATFORD CITY, ND, 28 October 2019) – In response to a request from Hettinger County Sheriff’s Office, Dakota West Credit Union is offering to match donations from individuals and businesses throughout the county to support child safety and drug prevention education.

Sheriff Sarah Warner sent letters to businesses to request donations to the National Child Safety Council organization on behalf of Hettinger County officials to establish programs for kindergarten through sixth grade students. Sheriff Warner estimated the programs being developed by the deputies would reach more than 150 students.

Dakota West New England Branch Regional Operations Manager Mike Grote encouraged others to contribute by agreeing to match donations up to goal of funding all students. “We’ve already contributed $250 towards the effort and know others in our community also want to support Sheriff Warner and the Hettinger County communities.”

Reflecting on the values of Dakota West, Grote recognizes that the financial institution supports the community and the initiatives to protect its students. “We succeed together.”

Donations from Hettinger County businesses and residents may be made online at nationalchildsafetycouncil.org and reference the specific program number: nd-21-c-1.
The Hettinger County Sheriff’s Department also plans to expand the program to include identity theft and internet safety programs for senior citizens. Grote looks forward to the additions and plans to support those initiatives as well.

Established in 1941, each of Dakota West’s branches and its members and employees help grow the Dakota West family with exceptional commitment to building relationships and strengthening communities through programs like safety education.

With branches throughout west and central North Dakota, including New England, Dakota West Credit Union is dedicated to helping its members grow with comprehensive, competitive financial products partnered with personal, professional service. To learn more about its services and communities, visit dakotawestcu.com.

Meet Toni Jung

Although her title official reads, “Member Service Representative,” Toni Jung sometimes feels her work in Dakota West Credit Union’s New England branch is also part psychiatrist and part preacher. Probably because Toni’s face has greeted the members here for nearly forty years, building relationships with many of our members during that time. Her landmark anniversary lies just around the corner next month.

“Toni is the Tom Brady of New England,” her fellow Member Service Representatives jest, referring to her longevity and popularity among our members.

She enjoys seeing familiar faces across the counter as well. “People who were members when I got here – their grand kids and kids are members.”

Before becoming Dakota West Credit Union, the Hettinger County branch went by the name Heartland Community Credit Union and before that New England Credit Union, and Toni has seen it all.

“Technology certainly remains one of the biggest changes. I remember gigantic ledgers that were eight to ten inches thick. There was a lag of at least a week to research a transaction.” Having called the same structure her place of employment for four decades, Toni has seen technology come and go. “The fax machine was such an improvement.”

Toni feels grounded in New England, not just because of the familiarity of Dakota West Credit Union, but her roots in the community. “I have lived in New England all of my life.” With kids and grand kids surrounding her, we look forward to keeping Toni in our community and in our branch, continuing to be legendary in New England.

Toni Jung, Member Service Representative, New England