Okaloosa Saves has earned the 2025 America Saves Week Savings Champion award, an honor explicitly reserved for organizations who effectively and actively promote saving strategies during the annual America Saves Week campaign.

Okaloosa Saves is one of 18 organizations honored with this distinction, out of more than 5,000 participating organizations of America Saves Week, which took place April 7 – 11, 2025 as part of Financial Literacy Month.

“We’re thrilled to recognize these outstanding organizations with the 2025 Savings Champion Award,” said Amy Miller, Program Manager of America Saves. “Their dedication to encouraging people to save — even during financially tight times — has a real impact on families and communities across the country. By providing resources, tools, and support, they help individuals take meaningful steps toward greater financial security and confidence. We’re proud to celebrate their commitment and the positive difference they make every day.”

The work of these organizations contributed to an impressive collective impact of the Week. During the week. These institutions helped to reach over 28.5 million individuals and encouraged $155 million worth of deposits into new and existing savings accounts.

“For more than 20 years, Okaloosa Saves has empowered individuals across Northwest Florida to become confident savers,” said Board Chair Laura Coale. “We’re passionate about helping people reduce debt, build wealth, and create lasting financial habits through year-round saving strategies. Financial wellness is a key part of overall well-being, and we value our ongoing partnership with America Saves as we continue this mission for years to come.”

2025 America Week Saving Champion Recipients:

H&R Block

Okaloosa Saves

Los Angeles Saves

Credit.org (Inland Empire Saves, and San Diego Saves)

Commonwealth of VA - Dept. of Human Resource Management

The Financial Literacy Youth Initiative

Sunny Day Fund

Veterans Bargains

UT Southwestern Medical Center

City of Virginia Beach

UT Extension Henderson County

Amazon

Washington State Department of Financial Institutions

Young Investors Network

TDCI/Securities Division

Michigan Office of Retirement Services

Universities of Wisconsin, as supported by TIAA

State of Ohio Collective

America Saves Week is an annual event by America Saves, a program under the Consumer Federation of America.

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About America Saves

America Saves motivates, encourages, and supports American households to save money, reduce debt & build wealth through no-shame savings tips and strategies.

About Okaloosa Saves

Okaloosa Saves, a part of the national America Saves program, was founded in 2003 as a 501(c)3 encouraging individuals to build wealth and reduce debt. For additional information, visit OkaloosaSaves.com.

(FORT WALTON BEACH, FL) MARCH 18, 2025 — The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed April 7-11, 2025 Okaloosa Saves and America Saves Week at their Board meeting Tuesday, March 18. The theme for 2025 is Saving for Your Past, Present and Future.

Since 2007 America Saves Week has been an annual celebration as well as a call to action for everyday Americans to commit to saving successfully. Through the support of thousands of participating organizations, together we encourage individuals to do a financial check-in that allows them to get a clear view of their finances, set savings goals and create a plan to achieve them.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners for their continued efforts in raising awareness to the importance of saving,” said Okaloosa Saves Board Chair Laura Coale. “Personal and household savings are crucial for the stability and vitality of northwest Florida residents.”

The following was proclaimed:

WHEREAS, personal and household savings is fundamental to Okaloosa County resident’s stability and vitality; and

WHEREAS, adequate emergency savings, retirement funds, and safe debt‐income ratios are critical components of personal financial security; and

WHEREAS, America Saves is a national campaign that empowers Americans to take action towards financial stability through saving money to reduce debt and build wealth; and

WHEREAS, Okaloosa Saves is a partner in the America Saves Week campaign and is committed to helping its residents and businesses take necessary actions toward financial stability no matter their current status; and

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners that we do hereby RECOGNIZE AND PROCLAIM the week of April 7th - 11th, 2025 as

“OKALOOSA SAVES WEEK & AMERICA SAVES WEEK”

and call upon all members of our committees to start or increase an emergency fund, to encourage the opening of savings accounts, encourage split deposit for savings, increasing 401k contributions, and to take other positive emergency saving actions during OKALOOSA SAVES WEEK and AMERICA SAVES WEEK, and pledge to sustain that action during the following year.

DULY PASSED AND ADOPTED this 18th day of March, 2025.

Learn more about America Saves Week at americasavesweek.org and okaloosasaves.com. 

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The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners proclaim April 7-11, 2025 Okaloosa Saves and America Saves Week. Pictured left to right back row: District 3 Commissioner Sherri Cox, Chairman and District 1 Commissioner Paul Mixon, District 5 Commissioner Drew Palmer, (front row left to right) Okaloosa Saves Member Kathey Mitchell, Okaloosa Saves Board Chair Laura Coale, District 2 Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel, Okaloosa Saves Treasurer Sherry Harlow, and Okaloosa Saves Board Member Kimberly Cox.

About Okaloosa Saves

Okaloosa Saves, a part of the national America Saves program, was founded in 2003 as a 501(c)3 encouraging individuals to build wealth and reduce debt. In 2024, the organization was awarded the Savings Champion Award by America Saves. Learn more at okaloosasaves.com.

About America Saves

America Saves is a non-profit organization that uses principles of behavioral economics and social marketing to motivate, encourage and support everyday Americans to save money, reduce debt, build wealth and create better financial habits. America Saves encourages individuals and families to take the America Saves pledge, a tool that empowers them to commit to save successfully with a plan. Thousands of non-profit, government, and corporate organizations partner with America Saves through local, regional, statewide and national campaigns both year-round and during America Saves Week. America Saves is an initiative of the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), a non-profit, pro-consumer organization of over 270 consumer education, advocacy, and cooperative members dedicated to advancing consumer interest. Learn more at americasaves.org.

Eglin Federal Credit Union partnered with Okaloosa Saves and The First Bank for the annual Teach Children to Save campaign April 1 – June 30. Youth were encouraged to set a savings goal and make a deposit into their savings account. Their names were entered into a random drawing for six children to win a $50 deposit into their savings account from Okaloosa Saves. Winners were invited to the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners board meeting on Tuesday, July 16 to receive their certificates and recognition.

 

This year, there were 106 youth from Eglin FCU and six youth from The First Bank under the age of 18 who participated in the Okaloosa Saves Teach Children to Save campaign with deposits totaling $20,169.64. Since the program began in 2004, 2,398 children made deposits totaling $393,610.

 

The six winners were:

Calvin Hopper, Crestview

Keegan Hughes, Miramar Beach (The First Bank), not pictured

Emily Pear Kirkpatrick, Crestview, not pictured

Norrace Lampert, Niceville

Santana Stewart, Freeport

Anakin Tedder, Niceville

 

Chairman Paul Mixon, District 1, said, “I commend the winners and all of the children who participated in this year’s Okaloosa Saves Teach Children to Save campaign. It’s encouraging to see how the Okaloosa Saves program continues to promote the importance of saving, reducing debt and creating financial wellness. We appreciate the work and progress this program has achieved over the years in teaching our children how to build a sound foundation of financial stability.”

 

Eglin Federal Credit Union President/CEO Jerry Williams said, “We look forward to offering this youth savings program every year because it is so important to teach children about the importance of saving. Eglin FCU has proudly partnered with Okaloosa Saves for 20 years to help provide financial education to our community, and we plan to continue this effort for years to come.”

 

Sherry Harlow, APR, who serves on the Okaloosa Saves Board as the Treasurer said, “I have served on Okaloosa Saves for 21 years and am pleased to see the impact the Teaching Children to Save program has made over the years with $393,610 saved by area youth.”

 

Savings Tips for Parents:

·        Talk about the importance of budgeting and saving money

·        Visit your local EFCU branch to open a savings account or deposit into an existing account

·        Teach the basics of investing

·        Encourage them to be entrepreneurs

·        Be a role model

The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed April 8-12, 2024, Okaloosa Saves and America Saves Week at their Board meeting Tuesday, March 12. The theme for 2024 is Saving for What Matters Most.

Since 2007 America Saves Week has been an annual celebration as well as a call to action for everyday Americans to commit to saving successfully. Through the support of thousands of participating organizations, together we encourage individuals to do a financial check-in that allows them to get a clear view of their finances, set savings goals and create a plan to achieve them.

“We would like to thank the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners for helping bring awareness to the importance of saving,” said Okaloosa Saves Board Chair Laura Coale. “Personal and household savings is fundamental to Okaloosa County resident’s stability and vitality.”

The following was proclaimed:

WHEREAS, personal and household savings is fundamental to Okaloosa County resident’s stability and vitality; and

WHEREAS, adequate emergency savings, retirement funds, and safe debt‐income ratios are critical components of personal financial security; and

WHEREAS, America Saves is a national campaign that encourages and motivates Americans to take-action towards financial stability through saving money for emergencies and reducing debt; and

WHEREAS, Okaloosa Saves is a partner in the America Saves Week campaign and is committed to helping our citizens and businesses take immediate financial action to save successfully; and

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners that we do hereby RECOGNIZE AND PROCLAIM the week of April 8th - 12th, 2024 as

“OKALOOSA SAVES WEEK & AMERICA SAVES WEEK”

and call upon all members of our committees to start or increase an emergency fund, and members and businesses to encourage the opening of savings accounts, encourage split deposit for savings, increasing 401k contributions, and challenging employees to save for goals and to take other positive emergency saving actions during OKALOOSA SAVES WEEK and AMERICA SAVES WEEK, and pledge to sustain that action during the following year.

DULY PASSED AND ADOPTED this 12th day of March, 2024.

Learn more about America Saves Week at americasavesweek.org and okaloosasaves.com.  

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Photo Caption: The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners proclaim April 8-12, 2024, Okaloosa Saves and America Saves Week. Pictured left to right: Vice Chairman and District 3 Commissioner Nathan Boyles, District 4 Commissioner Trey Goodwin, Okaloosa Saves Board Chair Laura Coale, District 2 Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel, Okaloosa Saves Treasurer Sherry Harlow, and Chairman and District 1 Commissioner Paul Mixon.