Photo by: Aven Angel Photography

PACU Foundation’s Flying Colors Charity Fun Run raises more than $11,000 for families overcoming financial hardship.

The PACU Foundation’s Second Annual Flying Colors Charity Fun Run achieved noteworthy success recently, raising $11,167. Held at Forsyth Country Day School in Lewisville, N.C., a total of 127 runners and walkers of all ages participated, with 19 sponsors and more than 40 volunteers contributing to the event's success.

The Flying Colors Charity Fun Run is a community event that includes a 1.5-mile and 5K fun run or walk. Each participant received a commemorative event t-shirt, which took on a tie-dye appearance by the end of each run. The family-friendly atmosphere was enhanced with an assortment of games, face painting and food trucks, making it a festive day for all attendees. All proceeds will aid North Carolina residents overcoming financial hardship.

“This year’s overwhelming support and participation have been truly heartwarming,” said PACU Foundation’s Fundraising Chair Megan Brooks, the event organizer. “We are thrilled to see our community come together to make a tangible difference in the lives of those facing financial challenges. The increase in funds raised from last year’s $4,000 to $11,167 this year, underscores the community's growing support to our cause.”

The Flying Colors Charity Fun Run began last year and has quickly become a prized event, rising both in scale and impact. The PACU Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to all participants, volunteers and sponsors who contributed to this year’s success.

The PACU Foundation is volunteer-driven, supported by Piedmont Advantage Credit Union’s employees. With no paid staff, since it was founded in 2020, the PACU Foundation has raised and gifted $69,000 to area charities to increase their capacity to help North Carolina residents in times of financial hardship.

As of May 31, 2024, 80 percent of Piedmont Advantage Credit Union’s employees have donated this year to the PACU Foundation.

Brooks added, “The spirit of generosity and fun was unmistakable throughout the day. We are incredibly grateful for the commitment shown by everyone involved and look forward to continuing this momentum into next year.”

When Brooks isn’t volunteering as the PACU Foundation’s Fundraising Chair, she is Piedmont Advantage Credit Union’s Curriculum Development Specialist in its Learning Department.

The PACU Foundation advances charitable giving to support access to financial literacy, education and training, and disaster and emergency assistance for residents overcoming financial hardship throughout the Triad and Charlotte communities.

Triad and Charlotte communities include the counties of Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Iredell, Mecklenburg and Rockingham as the following map reflects:

The Foundation was founded in January 2020, grown out of the desire to expand Piedmont Advantage Credit Union’s capacity to be the difference within the communities the Credit Union is privileged to serve.

2024-2025  Supported Charities

• A Storehouse for Jesus: A volunteer-led distribution and medical ministry assisting in-need residents due to financial constraints, illness, domestic violence and homelessness with clothing, food, household and care needs, serving Davie County and surrounding areas
• Education Over Debt Foundation: Scholarships to African American high school students in Mecklenburg County who plan to attend college or university, along with helping the area’s undocumented high school students of color on a path to citizenship and continuing education
• Help, Incorporated’s Square One Family Justice Center: Financial safety resources to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse and human trafficking, along with its newly constructed SquareOne facility, serving Rockingham County
• Jim Shaw ACE Academy: Comprehensive education in aviation, financial literacy and STEM to middle and high school students in Forsyth County, empowering these young minds to change the face of aviation
• The Christian Mission: A holistic approach to combat intergenerational poverty with crisis assistance, case management and educational programming, serving Iredell County
• The Women’s Resource Center of Greensboro: The promotion of self-reliance of women by assessing needs, providing resources and acting as a gateway to community resources

Since forming in 2020, the PACU Foundation has gifted more than $100,000 to area charities.

Board of Directors

Mary Vitale
Chair 
Email: [email protected] 

Jean Golden-Rumer
President
Email: [email protected]

Jeanette Stark
Vice Chair and Vice President
Email: [email protected]

Mike Fabregas
Treasurer
Email: [email protected]

Kim Adkins
Director
Email: [email protected]

Megan Brooks 
Director
Email: [email protected]

James Moore
Director
Email: [email protected]

Diana Santos Johnson
Director

Staff

Dion Williams
Piedmont Advantage Credit Union President & CEO

Karla Castilleja
Secretary
Email: [email protected]

Kim Adkins
Marketing and Communications Committee Chair
Email: [email protected]

Megan Brooks
Fundraising Committee Chair
Email: [email protected]

James Moore
Gifting Committee Chair
Email: [email protected]

Funding requests for 2025 are open. Please complete this Funding Inquiry Form to let us know of your interest.

Questions? Please call us at 336.744.8780.

The PACU Foundation is a Section 501(c)(3) charitable organization, EIN 84-4139152. All donations are deemed tax-deductible absent any limitation on deductibility applicable to a particular taxpayer. If goods or services were provided in return for a contribution, the amount of the contribution, which is tax-deductible, may be limited to the amount exceeding the value of such goods and services. The PACU Foundation maintains discretion over the use of all donated funds.