Eglin FCU celebrates young savers in Teach Children to Save campaign

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — Eglin Federal Credit Union is celebrating another successful Teach Children to Save campaign after partnering with Okaloosa Saves and six other financial institutions to help local children develop healthy savings habits and financial literacy skills.

Eglin Federal Credit Union auto loan ad featuring two women beside a blue Ford Bronco and promoting new and used auto loan rates as low as 4.74% APR.

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The annual campaign, held April 1 through June 30, encouraged children ages 17 and younger to set savings goals and make deposits into their savings accounts. Participants were entered into a random drawing for one of 10 $50 deposits into their savings accounts provided by Okaloosa Saves.

The campaign concluded on July 21, with a recognition ceremony before the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners budget meeting, where the 10 winners received certificates.

This year’s winners included Kate Kennedy of Niceville and David Nelson of Valparaiso, along with Cali Branson of Fort Walton Beach, Titus Kidder of Crestview, Khai Mays of Crestview, Alice Morton of Mary Esther, Liam Law of Crestview, Marin Lee of Shalimar, Sofia Simeonova of Fort Walton Beach and Liam Walbert of Crestview.

Recipients of the 2026 Okaloosa Saves Teach a Child to Save campaign pose with Okaloosa County commissioners, Okaloosa Saves board members and participating financial institution representatives after being recognized during the July 21, 2026, Okaloosa County Commission meeting in Fort Walton Beach. — Recipients of the 2026 Okaloosa Saves Teach a Child to Save campaign were recognized by the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners during its July 21 meeting after participating in this year’s youth savings program. (Contributed)

A total of 189 children participated in this year’s campaign through Eglin FCU, Renasant Bank, CCB Bank, Midsouth Bank, Teachers Federal Credit Union, PenFed and United Fidelity, depositing a combined $42,337.39 into their savings accounts. Since the program began in 2004, 2,686 children have deposited a total of $463,005.73.

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“There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing students gain an early understanding of the value of saving and responsible money management,” said Eglin Federal Credit Union President and CEO Cathie Staton.

“Through our longstanding partnership with Okaloosa Saves, we’ve helped thousands of children build a foundation for financial success. We are proud to continue investing in financial education and inspiring the next generation to make informed financial choices throughout their lives.”

Okaloosa Saves encourages parents to help children build lifelong financial skills by discussing budgeting and saving, opening or contributing to a savings account, teaching the basics of investing, encouraging entrepreneurship, and modeling responsible money management.

For more information about Eglin Federal Credit Union, visit eglinfcu.org. Information about Okaloosa Saves is available on its Facebook page and website.