TFCU launches High School Spirit Debit Cards
EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT -- Oct. 16, 2019) — Mascots, cheerleaders and drumlines from throughout EPISD and neighboring school districts gathered Tuesday at Region 19 Head Start for a giant pep rally to launch TFCU’s latest fund-raising tool for high schools: the High School Spirit Debit Cards.
TFCU account holders can select one of 33 High School Spirit Debit Cards — including 11 from EPISD — to benefit their school of choice. TFCU will make a cash donation to the campus twice a year based on every qualifying, non-pin purchases made with the card.
At the pep rally on Tuesday, mascots and cheerleaders unveiled a giant replica of their school’s debit card to applause and cheers.
“This High School Spirit Debit Card is an exciting new way that we support our high schools,” said TFCU president & CEO Max Villaronga. “These cards will give an opportunity to all of the participating high schools to have access to funds in an easy way.
Now booster clubs and organizations can remove some of their stress from fundraising.”
TFCU also gave each district participating a check for $1,000 and announced it would match all donations to the campuses for the next three years.
“Education and schools have always been a part of our DNA, and the product that we are launching today, takes that relationship to another level,” said Alex Yu, vice president of marketing and a Jefferson graduate. “Anyone in the community can participate and actively give back to the school of their choice. We want these cards to make a major impact on these schools.”
The cards are already available at branches of TFCU. For those who don’t have a TFCU account, membership is open to El Paso County residents. EPISD principals look forward to the new fundraising opportunity – already recruiting their community to select the card with their mascot.
“I think it’s a great partnership with TFCU because when our community members – students, parents and faculty – chose that Austin TFCU card it will help our campus and our students,” Austin principal Cyndi Severn-Ponce said. “We already have a great partnership with TFCU. This will just make it stronger.”
Andress head cheerleader Samantha Porter expects the cards to boost school spirit, too.
“I think it’s great that even when not in school anymore, you can have school spirit by having the card with you,” Porter said. “I also think it will help even out the playing field for schools by giving money back.”
Photos by Vanessa Monsisvais