A big part of Orion is being a big part of the community. This value is engrained in the culture of the company so much so that when Orion entered Memphis’ Medical District it saw an opportunity to redeem a remediated brownfield site into a LEED Silver® facility – what we now know as the Orion branch across from Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.

“We wanted to build something that members and the neighborhood would be proud of, and even more, would reflect the change and evolution going on in the area,” said Daniel Weickenand, Orion CEO.

But Orion’s vision and commitment didn’t stop there. In 2019 Orion put down deep roots in the Medical District by moving its headquarters to the former Wonder Bread Facility. Once again, Orion recognized an opportunity to address long-term blight and drive economic development by rebuilding the Edge neighborhood connecting Downtown to the Medical District.

Fast forward to today, Orion continues to invest in the community through a variety of avenues such as volunteerism, financial education, and its Orion Gives Back program. But its most popular event? Undoubtedly, the Orion 5K. This year over 800 runners, volunteers and pickleball players (yep, you read that right), gathered in the Edge District to beat their personal records and have tons of fun while doing it! The Shell on Wheels made an appearance along with the Bluff City Backsliders who were the perfect accompaniment to a picturesque day in the neighborhood. After the 5K, participants enjoyed local vendors from the Edge neighborhood such as Arnold’s Barbeque, Memphis Made Brewery, and Los Comales and visited Sheet Cake Art Gallery and the Edge Motor Museum.

And that’s not even the best part. The annual beneficiary of the Orion 5K is MIFA’s Meals on Wheels program which has provided hot lunches for homebound seniors since 1976. Last year alone, MIFA delivered more than 700,000 meals to 4,400 seniors in the city.

“Hosting this race and inviting our community to join with us in giving back is important to all of us at Orion,” said Weickenand. “The consistent rise in senior food insecurity in Memphis is the reason for us to all come together to support and create awareness for the cause. It’s an honor to support our neighbors.”  

And it’s an honor to be your neighbor, Orion FCU! We cannot thank you enough for your consistent support of the Medical District and its nonprofits, MMDC included. Speaking of, did you know that Orion stepped up as the fitness sponsor for this year's series? We have Orion to thank for yoga (both with and without goats), zumba in the park, and Spring Fling! We are lucky to have Orion’s partnership and look forward to the years to come.

**Shoutout to all who supported Meals on Wheels at the Orion 5K: Memphis Medical District Collaborative, Downtown Memphis Commission, Direct FX, Memphis Made Brewery, Fleet Feet, Campbell Clinic, and the Edge Motor Museum