Pacific Ave ribbon cutting puts focus on community commitment through capital improvements and the credit union’s charitable arm, Chartway Promise Foundation

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Virginia Beach, VA (January 23, 2025) – Chartway Credit Union celebrated the grand opening of a new location on Pacific Ave in Virginia Beach, Virginia, today. The event brought together credit union members and leadership, community leaders, local dignitaries, and Hampton Roads Chamber leadership for a ribbon-cutting ceremony highlighting Chartway’s commitment to growth and community engagement through its charitable arm, Chartway Promise Foundation. As the second new location to open in Hampton Roads under Chartway’s multi-million-dollar branch expansion and renovation initiative across its markets, the Pacific Ave Branch is designed to enhance member convenience with innovative financial services. The grand opening ceremony featured the ribbon cutting, a $175K grant presentation to Make-A-Wish® Greater Virginia, a special Promise Hero Wish Reveal, a $2.5K check presentation to the Foundation by New Ground, one of the credit unions design-build contractors, and tours of the new branch.

"At Chartway, we’re dedicated to unlocking the potential of our members and communities so they can thrive,” said Brian Schools, president & CEO of Chartway Credit Union. “The Pacific Ave branch reflects our commitment to providing innovative financial solutions in a welcoming environment, ensuring we’re there for our members at every step of their financial journey. Incorporating a celebration of the milestone 20th anniversary of our Foundation, reinforces our commitment to both our members and the communities they live in.”

“I wish more businesses in Hampton Roads operated like Chartway,” said Bryan Stephans, president & CEO of the Hampton Roads Chamber. “They provide outstanding products and services and give back to their community in a big way. Quality products, world-class customer service and meaningful civic engagement doesn’t just happen. At Chartway, it's inculcated in their DNA. Their culture is worthy of emulation by every business in any industry.”

As part of the year-long celebration of Chartway Promise Foundation’s 20th anniversary, the Foundation played a big role in the ceremony. Demonstrating Chartway’s ongoing commitment to the community, the Foundation presented a $175K grant to its first-ever charitable partner, Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia. The grant represents a portion of the record $1.1M in total grants given to 25 charity partners to fund their programs this year and adds to the $16M in grants provided since its inception.

“We are incredibly grateful for the steadfast partnership with Chartway Promise Foundation,” said Sheri Lambert, president & CEO of Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia. “Together, we have been successful in bringing hope and joy to hundreds of wish families in the community.”

Following the check presentation, 10-year-old Bevarlly Blanco who is living with a gastrointestinal disorder—surrounded by her parents and 16 siblings—learned her wish to visit Disney World would come true. The Promise Hero and her family will make the trip in April. Adding to the special moment, the Foundation’s first-ever Promise Hero, Julie (Dickson) Bradshaw, now married and a mother of two children, had the honor of revealing Bevarlly’s surprise. Julie’s wish to go to Disney World, more than 20 years ago when she was in the fight of her life battling non-Hodgkin lymphoma inspired the creation of the Foundation and cemented its long partnership with Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia.

“The Chartway Promise Foundation is proud to celebrate 20 years of bringing joy, hope, and smiles to medically fragile children and their families,” said Christine Wilson, president of the Chartway Promise Foundation. “Today is especially meaningful as we reconnect with Julie, whose wish inspired the creation of the Foundation. Helping grant Bevarlly’s wish to visit Disney World alongside Julie is a full-circle moment that reminds us of the incredible impact we’ve made with Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia over the years. It’s a privilege to continue making a lasting difference in the lives of those who need it most.”

“It meant the world to me to be here, to show that Chartway Promise Foundation continues on, fulling wishes for children,” said Bradshaw. “These wishes help children separate from the difficult things happening to them and go with their family to a very fun place. I know it helped me, and my family, get through a very tough time.”

“This is amazing, she’s had a long road, and this is going to be life-changing for her. We’re just going to soak it up, being together,” said Virginia Blanco, Bevarlly’s mother. “We can’t thank you guys enough for this.”

The new Pacific Ave branch is one of five locations in Hampton Roads benefiting from Chartway’s multi-million-dollar branch expansion and refresh initiative. New and renovated branches across all Chartway’s markets include the following:

NEW LOCATION OR CONSTRUCTION

RENOVATIONS

Also, as part of its branch expansion campaign, Chartway is focused on technology and innovation and will have installed a total of 50 Direct Tellers, also known as Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs), across its network by the end of this year. These ITMs allow members to connect via two-way video with a team member or conduct transactions independently, reducing wait times by up to 50 percent. Members can locate their nearest ITM or branch by visiting Chartway.com.

Learn more about Chartway Credit Union at www.Chartway.com.

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About Chartway & Chartway Promise Foundation

Since 1959, Chartway has been unlocking the potential of individuals and families so they can thrive. Member-owned and values-driven, our $3 billion credit union proudly serves more than 260,000 members with branches in Utah, Texas, and Virginia. We’ve been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best-In-State Credit Unions, included on American Banker’s Top Credit Union to Work For list, and received numerous other top workplace and best credit union accolades. Reflecting a bright way forward, our charitable arm – the Chartway Promise Foundation – has granted $16 million to provide medically fragile children and their families memorable experiences that bring joy, hope, and smiles. For information on our vibrant organization, please visit www.Chartway.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About Make-A-Wish® Greater Virginia

Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and volunteers, Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Make-A-Wish aims to bring the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. Since 1987, Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia has granted more than 5,900 wishes in the local community, contributing to the more than 350,000 wishes granted throughout the U.S. and its territories. With 58 chapters nationwide, Make-A-Wish is the most trusted nonprofit operating locally across 50 states. For more information about Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia, visit va.wish.org.