WHAT’ S NEWS IN MARS AREA
ARMCO CREDIT UNION RECEIVES STATEWIDE AWARD FOR FRAUD EDUCATION
Armco Credit Union has been recognized as a 2025 Financial Literacy Award honoree by the CrossState Credit Union Foundation. The award specifically highlights Armco’ s innovative and engaging fraud education initiatives.
“ This award underscores our mission to empower our members,” said Randy Cypher, CEO.“ Fraud can affect anyone, and we’ ve made it a top priority to equip our community with the tools and knowledge they need to protect themselves.”
Armco’ s fraud education strategy was praised for its creativity, real-world relevance, and measurable impact. The initiative was led by the marketing department and supported by continuous staff training, frontline engagement and the leadership’ s clear commitment to member protection.
“ The challenge with fraud education is that people think they’ ve seen it all— so they tune out traditional messages,” said Michele Jurysta, marketing manager.“ Our creative approach engages and educates members in a way that feels more relatable.”
A multi-channel campaign was developed with several touchpoints
across the member experience. This included newsletters, social media, radio, website resources, in-branch displays and community outreach, all designed to educate members and provide the tools to recognize, prevent and recover from fraud. At the credit union’ s annual meeting, members received free fraud prevention tools.
For Halloween, the Mars branch staff even dressed in fraud-themed costumes— such as a fisherman representing a phishing scam— as a creative, non-threatening way to start important conversations.
Further reinforcing this proactive culture is Armco’ s quarterly“ Fraud Busters Award,” which recognizes employees who take extra steps to protect members.
“ This recognition program reinforces a culture where every team member plays a critical role in safeguarding our community,” added Jurysta.
In addition to the award, Armco Credit Union received a $ 2,500 grant from the CrossState Credit Union Foundation to continue expanding its fraud education efforts.
To further demonstrate a commitment to fraud education, the credit union also holds the AARP BankSafe Seal— a designation awarded to financial institutions where at least 80 % of staff members are trained to recognize and respond to financial exploitation.
RED CROSS CALLS FOR VOLUNTEERS
The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania issued an urgent call for volunteers as disaster response demands continue to grow. With volunteers making up 90 % of its workforce, the organization is seeking help to respond to both local emergencies, like home fires and large-scale disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires.
A virtual“ Lunch and Learn” information session was scheduled for Oct. 1 at noon via Zoom to outline available volunteer roles and answer questions. Key opportunities include serving on Disaster Action Teams to support families after local emergencies, working in local shelters or traveling nationwide to assist after major disasters.
For more details, visit redcross. org / volunteer or email gparecruitment @ redcross. org.
CHECK OUT THE PHIPPS NEW FALL FLOWER SHOW,‘ VISIONS OF JAPAN’
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens celebrates the beauty of Japanese culture and chrysanthemums at its annual Fall Flower Show.
Visitors will enjoy colorful displays featuring a torii gate, cascading chrysanthemum pagoda, moon gate, dragon installation and more.
Phipps Conservatory has presented chrysanthemum shows since 1894, making it one of the nation’ s longestrunning fall flower traditions. The show runs through Oct. 26.
A new Garden Railroad exhibit is“ The Age of Dinosaurs,” transporting guests back to the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods with moving dinosaur figures, roars and prehistoric plant life. It will continue through March 8. For details and tickets, visit phipps. conservatory. org / tickets.
CELEBRATE LIGHT UP NIGHT WITH KEYNOTES
Enjoy Pittsburgh’ s 2025 Light Up Night fireworks from one of the best views in the city: LeMont restaurant on Mt. Washington!
On Saturday, Nov. 22, Keynotes will host a special evening featuring cocktails, dinner, live entertainment, raffle baskets and a lottery tree— all leading up to the Zambelli fireworks at 9:30 p. m. Tickets are $ 100 per person, with reservations due by Nov. 14 at keynotesmusicscholarship. com.
The fundraiser supports Keynotes’ mission of awarding $ 16,000 in annual music scholarships to talented area students, with more than $ 452,000 awarded since 1970. n
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