Smart Money, Strong Futures: How Local Kids Are Learning to Save Staff Reports April 1, 2026 9:36 am Emerald Coast, Okaloosa County, Walton County In Brief: Who: Eglin Federal Credit Union, Okaloosa Saves, local banks, and youth under 18 What: “Teach a Child to Save” youth savings campaign When: April 1 – June 30, 2026 Where: Northwest Florida (Okaloosa and surrounding counties) Why: To teach financial literacy and encourage lifelong saving habits FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — Eglin Federal Credit Union is once again teaming up with Okaloosa Saves to encourage young people across Northwest Florida to build strong financial habits through the annual “Teach a Child to Save” campaign. Running from April 1 through June 30, the initiative invites youth ages 17 and younger to set a savings goal and make a deposit into a savings account. Participants will be entered into a random drawing, with 10 children selected to receive a $50 deposit into their accounts courtesy of Okaloosa Saves. The campaign brings together multiple financial institutions throughout the region, including CCB Bank, MidSouth Bank, Okaloosa County Teachers Federal Credit Union, Origin Bank, PenFed, Renasant Bank, and United Fidelity. Last year’s campaign saw more than 100 young participants from Eglin FCU and Renasant Bank collectively deposit over $27,000. Since the program’s inception in 2004, nearly 2,500 children have contributed more than $420,000 toward their savings goals. Eglin Federal Credit Union President and CEO Cathie Staton emphasized the long-term value of the initiative, noting that early financial education helps...
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