From the day-to-day of helping member-owners reach their financial goals to witnessing how random acts of kindness can snowball into community-changing events, 2025 has been a year filled with growth, generosity, and memorable experiences for the Pelican Credit Union family. To cap off the year with good tidings, Pelican chose to celebrate with one very special surprise for their members—a car giveaway.
“There is a lot of bad news in the world, and Pelican is consistently planning initiatives like this to instill hope and positivity,” said Leigh Porta, Chief Growth Officer at Pelican Credit Union. “The gift of a brand-new reliable vehicle can truly uplift a family, and we wanted to show our members appreciation by providing a life-changing prize during tough economic times.”
With nearly 12,000 member entries, anticipation for the giveaway of a 2026 Honda CR-V was buzzing throughout Louisiana. The contest was open for a little over a month and members of any of Pelican’s 18 branch locations could enter to win.
On the evening of December 15, 2025, the long-awaited announcement was scheduled to take place at Pelican’s Pineville branch.
Plans were in motion, and branch staff eagerly prepared for the celebration. The appointment time scheduled for the lucky member to arrive passed with no sign of him. After more than an hour of unanswered calls, disappointment settled in.
“Just as soon as we were about to give up, Terrance answered the phone,” Porta said, who was present for the giveaway. “He said he had been struggling to jump his car so he could take his wife to work.”
Overjoyed by the fortuitous timing, the Pelican staff sprang into action, bringing Terrance to the branch and ensuring his wife made it to work. Upon his arrival at the Pineville Branch, confetti and applause erupted as Terrance was announced as the winner of the new Honda CR-V.
“This car giveaway was a perfect example of the heart of Pelican,” said Jeff Conrad, Chief Executive Officer of Pelican Credit Union. “We had no idea what Terrance and his wife were going through, but in the end, they were the perfect couple to win the car at an ideal time in their life.”
Terrance joined Pelican Credit Union in July 2025 at the recommendation of his wife, who is a proud, longtime member. As a not-for-profit, member-owned financial institution, Pelican deeply values the integral role members play in the success of the credit union, as well as the interconnectedness that they champion across the state.
“The car giveaway is part of our #PelicanPays initiative, where we capture the generous spirit of the credit union and pay it forward in our communities,” said Porta. “Our team is proud to work here, and our members are proud to belong here. One of our core values is ownership, and these good deeds strengthen that pride for employees and members.”
#PelicanPays began with a few small acts of kindness—a gas giveaway here, a free lunch there—and has taken on a life of its own. In 2025, Pelican hosted two community giveaways, partnering with local grocery stores to distribute $50 worth of groceries to shoppers. The credit union also offered a special opportunity over the summer, paying up to $10,000 of personal debts for winning members.
The joy of generosity is contagious, and Pelican is thankful to witness how the domino effect continues to lead to bigger and better ideas for giving back. Inspired by moments like this, the Pelican family looks ahead to 2026 with anticipation for the new and unexpected opportunities to come.