SRP Federal Credit Union Receives Diamond Awards Honoring Marketing Excellence

posted on

March 31, 2026

North Augusta, SC – SRP Federal Credit Union was among 181 credit unions nationwide recognized as winners of the prestigious Diamond Awards, an annual competition hosted by America's Credit Unions Marketing, PR & Development Council that recognizes excellence in credit union marketing.

SRP received recognition in the following categories:

New Event (Category’s Best winner) – “Walking with Confidence: SRP Shoe Giveaway”
Product or Promotional Video – “Great Stories Start Small”
Brand Awareness – “Spotted Program”

America’s Credit Unions Marketing, PR & Development Council announced the winners of this year’s Diamond Awards, honoring the most effective and innovative marketing campaigns across the credit union industry.

This year’s competition drew a record 1,481 submissions, with 181 organizations from 42 states selected as winners. In total, 330 awards were distributed, reflecting the exceptional quality of work produced by credit unions nationwide.

“We are incredibly honored to be recognized among the best in the credit union marketing industry. These awards reflect our team’s ongoing commitment to telling SRP Federal Credit Union’s story and uplifting the communities and members we serve,” said Shana Reid, Chief Development Officer of SRP Federal Credit Union.

SRP submitted entries that reflect the organization’s dedication to the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People.”

During the “Walking with Confidence” event, SRP board members and employees across the credit union’s branches and departments donated a new pair of shoes for every student at Oakwood-Windsor Elementary School in Aiken, SC, meeting an immediate and meaningful need for local children.

SRP’s “Great Stories Start Small” 60-second commercial highlights how SRP supports members through important life stages, from opening their first savings accounts and securing car loans to reaching milestones like marriage and homeownership.

The SRP Spotted program, recognized in the Brand Awareness category, rewards members who display an SRP sticker or magnet on their vehicle with a chance to win $100. SRP employees spot these vehicles throughout the credit union’s 10-county field of membership, engaging with members and surprising them with $100 cash.

“We are proud to recognize SRP Federal Credit Union and this year’s Diamond Award winners for their entries that deliver both creativity and results,” said Lorrell Bellotti, Diamond Awards Co-chair and Chief Marketing Officer at Western Vista FCU in Cheyenne, Wyoming. “These entries demonstrate an understanding of the people we serve and strategic execution that delivers measurable impact.”

Two business professionals hold Diamond Awards. — SRP Marketing and Communications Manager Josh Rhoden and SRP Chief Development Officer Shana Reid receive the Diamond Awards on behalf of SRP Federal Credit Union. The credit union's "Walking With Confidence: SRP Shoe Giveaway" event won the category's best award.

About SRP

SRP Federal Credit Union is headquartered in North Augusta, South Carolina, and provides a full range of financial services to more than 200,000 members. SRP serves the banking needs of individuals, families, and businesses across 10 counties in Georgia and South Carolina. Recognized for its commitment to member service and community impact, SRP was recently named Best-In-State Credit Union in Georgia by Forbes and one of America’s Best Credit Unions in South Carolina by Newsweek. For more information, visit www.srpfcu.org.

About America’s Credit Unions

America’s Credit Unions is the unified voice for not-for-profit credit unions, representing more than 95% of the industry's assets and more than 145 million members nationwide. America’s Credit Unions provides strong advocacy, resources and services to advance, empower, and protect credit unions and the people and communities they serve. For more information about America’s Credit Unions, visit AmericasCreditUnions.org.

About Councils

Councils is a member-led, collaborative community of credit union leaders providing vibrant peer interaction, new ideas, and innovation to foster professional development while advocating for the overall success of the credit union movement. There are eight Councils with a network of more than 7,000 credit union professionals. For more information, visit americascreditunions.org/councils.

Representatives from SRP Federal Credit Union and Oakwood-Windsor Elementary School gather after dropping off shoes from SRP's shoe drive for OWES students.

SRP Foundation and SRP Team Members Provide New Shoes for Oakwood-Windsor Elementary Students

posted on

March 25, 2025

Aiken County, SC – Every student at Oakwood-Windsor Elementary School received a brand-new pair of shoes at an assembly on March 17, thanks to the generosity of SRP Federal Credit Union team members and the support of the SRP Foundation.

The initiative, led by Interim CEO Liz Ponder and team member Tonya Edge, brought together employees from various departments and branches to donate hundreds of shoes. Board Chair Sandra DeVoe Bland, the Board of Directors and the SRP Foundation also played a vital role in ensuring every child received a new pair.

This collaborative effort extended beyond SRP, as Oakwood-Windsor Elementary’s teachers, staff, and families worked together to provide shoe sizes and favorite colors for each student. By the end of the school day, every child left with a new pair of shoes and an extra sense of confidence.

Students at Oakwood-Windsor Elementary School try out their new shoes, donated by SRP Federal Credit Union. — Oakwood-Windsor Elementary students try out their new sneakers. Every student at Oakwood-Windsor received a new pair of shoes from SRP's shoe drive.

“At Oakwood-Windsor Elementary, we embrace the fact that in order to grow a child’s academic brain, we must also nurture their physical, social, and emotional well-being,” said Davina Truitt, Principal of Oakwood-Windsor Elementary School. “It truly takes a village to accomplish this, and at OWES, we have the absolute best village around! We are extremely thankful for community partners like SRP Federal Credit Union, who recognize that the future of the world is in our classrooms and are helping to make a difference—one Wise Owl at a time.”

Kristen Mulvey, School Counselor at Oakwood-Windsor, echoed the sentiment: “Our students come from all walks of life, and they know better than anyone that it takes a village to help raise children to be successful. We are so grateful to SRP for helping our Wise Owls walk a little taller, feel more confident in their step, and know that the adults in their lives truly care about their well-being.”

Liz Ponder, Interim CEO of SRP Federal Credit Union, expressed appreciation for the generosity of SRP’s team members and the lasting impact of the initiative. “At SRP Federal Credit Union, we believe in the power of community and the importance of giving back. Seeing the joy on the children’s faces as they received their brand-new shoes was truly heartwarming. Every child deserves to walk with confidence, and we are honored to support our local students in such a meaningful way. This shoe drive is a testament to what we can achieve when we come together to make a difference.”

SRP Federal Credit Union, headquartered in North Augusta, SC, provides financial services to over 195,000 members. Recognized for excellence in business and community impact, SRP was recently named the 2024 Large Business of the Year by both the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce.

The SRP Foundation, a nonprofit organization established by SRP Federal Credit Union in 2024, serves as a resource to nonprofit organizations and initiatives that support positive change with passion and commitment to the quality of life in our communities. The SRP Foundation focuses on human services, healthcare, housing, education and those initiatives that empower individuals to overcome barriers and pursue a better life.

For more information, visit www.srpfcu.org.

Tag: Oakwood-Windsor Elementary School