ēCO Credit Union has a strong commitment to the communities where our members live, work, and play. Through the #ēCOmmunity program, we are proud to recognize people and community groups who go above and beyond for their community. Each month in 2020, members of the community who embody the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People” will be nominated by ēCO employees to be “Credit Unioned.”
As we enter the month of June, more normalcy is in sight. While there is a lot that is uncertain, ēCO employees are still choosing to celebrate those who are working to make a difference in their communities. Merry Chesser, Assistant Branch Manager of the 
Riverchase Branch, nominated Ashley Bailey to be “Credit Unioned” for the month of June.
Ashley is a nurse at Princeton Baptist Hospital in Birmingham. Merry Chesser, who nominated Ashley says, “Ashley has only been a nurse since January of 2020. It was a really hard beginning for her. After graduating and accepting a job, a global pandemic was not the way she envisioned beginning her career, but she tackled it like a champ”.
Ashley says the COVID-19 pandemic affected her in many ways, both personally and professionally. “My coworkers and I have to take more precautions than we usually do; one that consists of wearing a mask for our entire 12-hour shift. A lot of employees have been furloughed causing us to pick up the slack in some areas, but overall, we are working hard as a team so that we make it through this. As for my personal life, there have been some moments where I needed support that would have come from being surrounded by family and friends, and I had to face those obstacles without them. I am thankful that I was able to have my immediate family by my side, but even that was limited because our immediate family is more than 10 people”.
Merry Chesser, Assistant Branch Manager of the Riverchase Branch, says she nominated Ashley because she truly embodies the Credit Union philosophy of “People Helping People.” “Ashley is the first one to help anyone in a situation. She always puts others’ needs before her own. She is incredibly passionate about her job and works hard to take care of her patients in their time of need,” said Chesser.
Merry Chesser represented ēCO and was proud to surprise Ashley with a $50 VISA gift card as a small way to say thank you for her hard work and dedication to the health and safety of the community.
“Being ‘Credit Unioned’ was a complete surprise. I am thankful for the nomination, and it definitely brightened my day. I feel appreciated by ēCO Credit Union. I want to remind everyone that with God all things are possible. With God, we will get through these tough days. Stay faithful and pray,” says Ashley.
ēCO Credit Union is grateful for Ashley Bailey’s commitment and her investment in the community, especially during these uncertain times. Thank you, Merry Chesser, for nominating a community leader like Ashley Bailey for ēCO’s #ēCOmmunity program. Thank you, Ashley, for your leadership and dedication to the health and safety of the community!