Evergreen Credit Union and WinterKids: Where Partnership Meets Play

By Courtney Holub, Executive Director, WinterKids

Community Partnerships like this remind us what’s possible when shared values meet shared joy. Together, WinterKids and Evergreen Credit Union are creating opportunities for Maine kids to move, play, and explore; building confidence, connection, and community that lasts far beyond the snow.

There’s a moment at every Welcome to Winter event when it all happens. You look around and see kids in helmets wobbling into their first “pizza” or “french fry” turns on snow, cheeks pink, grinning through the cold.

Nearby, Evergreen Credit Union team members are cheering them on, laughing, taking photos, and lending a hand. They’re right there in it, sharing the magic of those firsts. That’s what I love most about this partnership. It’s not just about sponsorship. It’s about being part of the experience. It’s sleeves rolled up, hearts open, and the shared joy that comes from seeing kids discover something new. It’s a true investment in Maine kids and Maine’s future.

With our friends at Evergreen Credit Union, partnership isn’t a transaction; it’s a way of being. Their team believes in building thriving communities not just through financial services, but through genuine relationships and shared experiences. That’s why working with them feels effortless and natural.

As Edward Budway, VP of Marketing, shared, “We want to cover as many community crossroads as we possibly can. WinterKids tackles a bunch. It’s kids having opportunities to do things they might not normally have because of finances, or time, or because they don’t have the support to make it happen.”

That belief, that access and opportunity matter, is something we share deeply. And it’s grounded in another simple truth we both hold close: a healthy body supports a healthy mind.

“That’s probably my biggest personal philosophy,” Ed said. “A healthy body helps a healthy mind, and WinterKids embodies that.”

Showing Up, Together

One of the things I admire most about Evergreen is their approach to trust-based philanthropy. They don’t just sponsor an event- they show up. They’re out in the cold, handing out cocoa, laughing with kids, and cheering on families as they play.

It’s the kind of partnership that grows from shared trust, not paperwork. We learn from each other, celebrate together, and adapt side by side.

“You actually see what you’re doing,” Ed said. “There’s a legitimate, immediate cause and effect, whether it’s with our time or our money. You can see how it impacts people, especially the kids.”

And it doesn’t stop there. The Evergreen team helps us year-round: brainstorming creative ideas, offering content support, connecting us with partners, and cheering us on from behind the scenes.

As Cole Rowland, Creative Specialist, put it, “I take a lot of pride in not just talking the talk, but actually being out there and walking the walk.”

That kind of involvement doesn’t just help others, it fills you up. And this spirit flows through their whole team.

“You put a little energy in and you get a lot more back,” Ed said. And Jeanna Coates, Community Partnerships Manager, agreed, “The work we do through community partnerships really fills my cup. I’m proud of the volunteer aspect — and the missions we get to support.”

For me, that’s what true partnership looks like: showing up, caring deeply, and finding joy in the process. The laughter, the hugs, the shared pride- those are the rewards.

“That’s the whole reason why organizations like yours exist,” Ed reflected. “To enrich people’s lives and bring them to a similar playing field as others who might have more opportunities.”

Defining Partnership, Together

Over time, our connection has become a model for what community partnership can look like. Evergreen doesn’t measure success by visibility; they measure it by what becomes possible because of the relationship.

“A successful partnership is when we can help someone actually do something they wouldn’t have done otherwise,” Ed told me. “We really look for things that literally wouldn’t have existed until our involvement.”

That’s something I see play out again and again. Whether it’s collaborating on creative projects like Tales of the Trails with the Animal Refuge League and Portland Trails, or sharing drone footage and tech support that helps others shine.

And the feeling is mutual. Cole shared: “You [WinterKids] have given us a roadmap. You’ve helped us on-ramp smaller community partners and think about how to level them up.”

When WinterKids chose to start banking with Evergreen, it wasn’t a convenient business decision; it was an opportunity to invest in our own values and beliefs.

“That was a massive achievement for us,” Ed reflected. “It meant we were living out our values — doing what we’re supposed to do at our core.”

Looking Ahead: More Joy in Winter

When I asked the Evergreen team what’s next, they didn’t talk about numbers or goals. They talked about joy and access.

“Get more kids on skis,” said Emma Pierce, Communications Specialist, grinning. “It’s basically just giving kids the ability to go fast whenever.”

That spark- helping kids build joyful, confident memories outdoors is what connects us.
“So many people grow up hating winter because they had negative experiences,” Emma said. “Creating positive ones can change that, even turn the tide.”

When asked to describe our partnership in one word, the Evergreen team didn’t hesitate: collaborative, involved, fun, fulfilling, trailblazing.

When I think of those words, I know exactly what they mean because I’ve felt them. A partnership like this doesn’t just support our mission. It lives it. It grows it. And it reminds me, every time I see those kids out in the winter, why we do this work in the first place.