In an era when organized sports can feel like a luxury reserved for families with disposable income, one California credit union is quietly proving that community partnerships can make a real dent in that gap. Pacific Service Credit Union, together with Basketball Nation, is set to host a free Hoopsgiving Basketball Clinic and ice cream social on Friday, November 13, from 5–8 p.m. at The Ultimate Fieldhouse in Walnut Creek. The event is tailored for the credit union’s nonprofit and community partners, offering kids already enrolled in youth programs a rare chance to step onto a real court and experience structured basketball play in a setting that might otherwise be out of reach.
Up to 250 children between the ages of 8 and 13 are expected to take part in the evening’s activities. By working directly with organizations that support local youth and families, Pacific Service CU says it is actively removing the financial and logistical hurdles that too often keep kids from participating in organized recreation.
“Every child deserves the chance to experience the joy of playing sports, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances,” said Jenna Lampson, President and CEO of Pacific Service Credit Union. “Our nonprofit partners do incredible work supporting children and families throughout our communities. Hoopsgiving is an opportunity to build on those relationships and give kids an experience they may not otherwise have had, while creating memories, building confidence and simply having fun.”
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Hoopsgiving marks the latest chapter in a multiyear partnership between Pacific Service CU and Basketball Nation, under which the credit union acts as the Presenting Sponsor and Official Credit Union at The Ultimate Fieldhouse in Walnut Creek and Dream Courts in Pittsburg. The collaboration is built around a shared mission: making youth sports more accessible through camp scholarships and free community programming that welcomes children regardless of their family’s financial situation.
The event also reflects a broader institutional commitment to giving back. In 2026, Pacific Service CU was named a Top Bay Area Corporate Philanthropist by the San Francisco Business Times for the 11th consecutive year. That recognition underscores the credit union’s sustained investment in organizations focused on at-risk children, education, health and human services, and other pressing community needs.
Media representatives are invited to attend Hoopsgiving to capture the basketball drills and scrimmages, speak with leaders from Pacific Service CU, Basketball Nation, and participating nonprofit organizations, and highlight how community partnerships can create meaningful opportunities for local youth.
For media inquiries or to arrange interviews, contact Mark Cardella at (925) 609-5084 or mark.cardella@pacificservice.org.
About Pacific Service Credit Union
Pacific Service Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution committed to strengthening the financial lives of over 70,000 members through trustworthy practices, superior products and exceptional service. Founded in 1936 by employees of Pacific Gas & Electric Company, it is a full-service credit union with assets over $1.3 billion and a field of membership that incorporates 12 Northern California counties. Bauer Financial, a third-party firm that analyzes the financial health of banks and credit unions, consistently awards Pacific Service Credit Union its highest 5-Star rating. In addition, Pacific Service CU has ranked as a top corporate philanthropist by the San Francisco Business Times for 11 consecutive years, joining a handful of companies that donate more than 2% of their net earnings to charities located in the communities they serve. Pacific Service Credit Union concentrates on supporting organizations that provide services for at-risk children, education, health and human services and disaster relief. For more information, visit: pacificservice.org.
Mark Cardella
Pacific Service Credit Union
+1 925-609-5084
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Why it matters: When a financial institution leverages its resources to underwrite free youth sports programming, it does more than fund a single event — it models how the private sector can tackle access inequity head-on. Pacific Service CU’s 11-year streak as a top corporate philanthropist suggests that this isn’t a one-off gesture but a replicable strategy for community investment that other businesses could learn from.
