Local Business Helps Coast Guard Families During Shelter in Place

With over 90% of Americans now under Stay-at-Home orders, many families are in search of creative ways to spend their time together.

SeaWest Coast Guard Federal Credit Union, which is based in Alameda and serves 12,000 members, including some 4,000 active duty Coast Guard Families, has answered this call by creating a series of unique social media contests rooted in fun, wholesome activities that all family members can participate in.

“What started out as a fun way for folks to kill time while quarantined has exploded past what we see in our typical social media engagement,” said Chris Rogers, VP of Marketing for SeaWest. “We are currently seeing over a 1285% increase in engagement versus a normal week. It reinforces that people are really gravitating toward activities that families can all do together.”

SeaWest instituted its first Shelter in Place contest on March 19 with a Kids Coloring Contest, followed by a Family Baking Contest. It encouraged families to share photos of themselves in action and asked the public to vote on a winner.

The credit union is currently running an Unusual Family Lessons Contest which will stay open to Coast Guard members until Wednesday, April 8. Anyone can vote on the entries and winners will be announced on the company’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SeaWestCreditUnion/

“We are happy to be a resource for our members during this difficult time,” Rogers said. “Our mission has always been to support Coast Guard families, and that is what we will continue to do.”