Pictured left to right: First Source Community Relations Assistant, Mariann Munson; First Source Associate Director of Marketing & Communications, Katie Ullman; First Source Chief Financial Officer, Pamela Goodison; First Source Community Development Manager, Edward Barone; First Source Manager of Branch Services, Stacey Vomer; Officer Marissa Vomer; Officer Penny; First Source Director of Member Services, Christopher Dovi; Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri; First Source President/CEO, Tom Neumann; Utica Police Chief Mark Williams; First Source Community Relations Supervisor, Pamela Way and First Source Director of Lending and Technology, John Calabrese.

The Healing Power Of Animals

First Source Federal Credit Union is thrilled to be able to help the Utica Police Department bring their new Therapy Dog initiative to life. 

Meet, ”Penny” a sheep-a-doodle, chosen specifically for her mild and friendly temperament, the perfect demeanor for a therapy dog. PO Marissa Vomer who leads the Utica Police Crisis Intervention Team, spent 3 years researching this initiative. It’s the first of its kind in Utica and only the third in NYS with 2 successful therapy dogs deployed in Abany and Schenectady. 

“First Source is honored to be able to help support and launch this initiative,” said Tom Neumann, First Source President/CEO of First Source. “Mental health awareness and understanding are an imperative need in so many areas. Having Penny the Therapy Dog as part of the UPD’s Crisis Response Team is a positive and necessary step as we continue to move into a more supportive environment when it comes to mental well-being. 

Neumann added, “We love that Penny will be able to assist in many capacities in the community, in the courts, in schools, and in the Police Department as needed for those on staff that may have encountered traumatic experiences. Mental health support is an important initiative for First Source internally as well. Beginning October 1st, we are actually enhancing our Checking Account Rewards Program to include telehealth therapy visits with no co-pays for our members. We look forward to having Penny be able to participate in First Source events throughout the year as well. She is good natured, loving and sweet and a great addition to the team.” 

There are several benefits to having a therapy dog on the force. In 2021, a therapy dog in Albany was successfully used to help talk a 14-year-old girl off of a rooftop she was threatening to jump from. The girl walked away from the ledge for the opportunity to be greeted by the therapy dog. 

Other potential functions include: 

• Penny can sit with victims and witnesses to reduce anxiety and make them more comfortable speaking. 

• A therapy dog can help calm persons in crisis and make them more willing to accept the help they need. 

• Help with peer support functions within the police department, to comfort officers and help them deal with traumatic experiences. 

• Can assist schools during times of mental health crises, bereavement counseling, or any other appropriate request from the local school districts.

• Demonstrations at schools and community events to help foster a more open dialogue between Police & the community. 

First Source’s contribution is a multi-year sponsorship to help cover costs of the therapy dog program including Penny’s training, supplies, food and veterinary needs. Through this relationship Fist Source looks forward to also having Penny at some of their community events. 

For more information, please contact Pamela Way, at pway@fsource.org or 315-735-8571.

Celebrate Fall with Flowers!

We will be holding our Annual Mum Sale on Wednesday, September 13th through Saturday, September 16th. The sale will take place at our New Hartford branch during regular business hours. All proceeds will be matched by Staffworks and will benefit Anita’s Stevens Swan Humane Society! Grab some beautiful hearty mums and help our furry friends.

• September 13^th - 16^th

• During regular business hours

• First Source New Hartford Branch

• 4451 Commercial Drive

• Prices are as follows:

  • 6 inch pots: 3 for $12.00

  • 10 inch pots: 3 for $22.00

  • Hanging pots: $15.00

Helping Our Furry Friends

In addition to the Mum Sale, all First Source branches will be collecting wish list items to help our local shelters with the day-to-day care of their animals, along with their operational needs. You can drop off these items between September 11th - 30th.

All donations made at our New Hartford, Washington Mills, North Utica and South Utica branches will go to Anita’s Stevens Swan Humane Society.

All donations made at our Rome branch will go to the Humane Society of Rome.

All donations made at our Herkimer branch items will go to the Herkimer County Humane Society.

As always, your thoughtfulness and generosity is very much appreciated.

Celebrate Mom with Flowers!

We are excited to  announce our annual, Mother’s Day Plant Sale. All proceeds will benefit Anita’s Stevens Swan Humane Society. And all donations will be again matched by Staffworks! Flowers will be provided by The Flower Barn. Choose from potted plants or hanging baskets in an array of colors, types and sizes. You can also drop off needed items for the animal shelter during the sale. Please see the humane society’s wish list here:

Mother's Day Plant Sale

• May 10^th – 13^th

• During normal business hours

• First Source New Hartford Branch

• 4451 Commercial Drive

• Prices are as follows:

  • Hanging baskets starting at: $24.99

  • 6 packs starting at: $3.69

  • Large patio pots starting at: $15.99

It’s the perfect time to get beautiful flowering plants for mom, and help local animals in need.

Pictured left to right:

Front Row: Geno DeCondo, Upstate Caring Partners Executive Director; Jennifer Malpezzi, Upstate Caring Partners Director of Early Childhood Programs; Pamela Way, First Source Community Relations Supervisor

Back Row: Jeremy Earl, Upstate Caring Partners Senior VP of Education; Tom Neumann, First Source President/CEO

Supporting Our Community

We are proud to be able to support Upstate Caring Partners’ Early Intervention Program with a gift of $20,000.

“Being able to provide services and therapies to children before they reach school age is extremely beneficial in many cases,” said Jeremy Earl, Upstate Caring Partners Senior VP of Education. “We are grateful for First Source’s continued support of this program.”

Tom Neumann, President/CEO of First Source added, “The programs and services which Upstate Caring Partners provides are vital to so many in our area and those that travel from beyond. We are fortunate to have this resource and happy to help support where we can.”

Empowering People

Formerly Upstate Cerebral Palsy, Upstate Caring Partners provides innovative programs and services that support and create opportunities for people of all abilities.

Learn More

First Source Continues To Be Financially Strong And Here For You

A message from Tom Neumann, President/CEO

With all the news this past week about several banks who are facing challenges, I wanted to confirm with you that First Source is strongly positioned to continue to meet your needs today, tomorrow, and into the future. There have been some concerns due to the economy’s current state of flux and rising rates, and now most recently two high-profile specialty-bank failures. Please rest assured, your Credit Union is financially strong.

First Source plans and prepares for just such challenging times. In addition to being Federally Insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), we take the management of our Member/Owners’ money very seriously and for the past 85 years we have acted in your best interests, as good stewards of all of your accounts. Unlike the banks in the news, we take a conservative, community-based approach; investing deposits in local individuals, families, and small businesses.

We also have strong earnings and capital positions, managed by an experienced local management team, which ensures we have access to necessary cash and reserves when needed. Whether it is helping you borrow money to fulfill your dreams, or dealing with economic challenges like this past week.

The Credit Union is audited regularly by both the NCUA and other independent auditors multiple times per year; and we are pleased to continually receive positive marks and ratings. We are consistently rated “Above Peer” in both operations and financial strength and stability.

Our financials are posted annually in June on our website for Members to view. The NCUA provides coverage for member share deposits and our staff is trained to maximize levels of coverage for our Member’s safety.

Should you have any questions you can find more regarding NCUA Share Insurance at: https://mycreditunion.gov/share-insurance

Thank you for your trust in First Source, as we continue to be there for you.

Sincerely,
Tom Neumann, President/CEO