ACU Foundation
Welcome to the ACU Foundation! The ACU Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 organization chartered in 2019 with the mission of enhancing the lives of military members, South Sound residents, and their families.
The ACU Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 corporation. Our tax ID number is 37-1918275. The ACU Foundation is located at PO Box 5060, Dupont, WA 98327.
Turkey Shoot Golf Tournament
Throughout the past 25 years, the Turkey Shoot Golf Tournament has raised just under a million dollars for Joint Base Lewis-McChord [JBLM] charities, such as Santa’s Castle and the Holiday Assistance Program.
Learn more about Turkey ShootChairman’s Message: 2025 Year in Review
ACU Foundation
As I reflect on 2025, I am deeply proud of the meaningful and compassionate work made possible through the ACU Foundation. This past year demonstrated what can be accomplished when generosity, stewardship, and community commitment come together with purpose.
At the heart of our mission is a promise to support those who serve, those who sacrifice, and those who need us most. In 2025, that promise was evident across every initiative, partnership, and moment of care we were able to provide.
We continued our steadfast support of our servicemembers on Joint Base Lewis‑McChord through our partnership with the 525 Replacement Center, where we helped provide more than 200 welcome baskets. These baskets, filled with essential items such as towels, sheets, and pillows, ensured that service members arriving at JBLM felt welcomed, supported, and cared for during a time of transition. The foundation also hosted a Christmas and New Year’s celebration, bringing warmth and connection to these servicemen and women, during the holiday season.
In recognition of the profound sacrifice of Gold Star Families, the Foundation was honored to help create moments of joy and togetherness through our partnership with the Travis Manion Foundation during Hope for the Holidays.
Our commitment to children and families shone brightly through our support of Santa’s Castle, helping make the holidays brighter for young ones in our community. We were also proud to support the Community Club of Lewis‑McChord, further strengthening the network of care surrounding military and civilian families alike.
Honoring those who serve remains a cornerstone of our work. In 2025, the ACU Foundation purchased tables for both the Army Birthday Ball and the Joint Services Ball, ensuring junior enlisted service members were able to attend these milestone celebrations free of charge—a small but meaningful way to recognize their dedication and service.
Beyond events, our Foundation continued to invest in organizations whose missions align with our values, including NTEF, Together! Thurston County, Dollars for Scholars, the Madigan Foundation, the Honor Foundation, and the Fisher House. Each of these partnerships reflects our shared belief in education, health, stability, and honoring service through action.
We were also pleased to support Yelm’s Senior Center, recognizing the importance of caring for older adults who have contributed so much to the fabric of our community.
Perhaps most profoundly, 2025 reminded us why compassion must always guide our work. This year, the Foundation supported a family facing a medical crisis when a mother experienced serious complications during childbirth. While she received critical care, her husband and two children required lodging and transportation to remain close by. The ACU Foundation stepped in to cover those expenses and ensured the children were supported by bringing their grandmother from New Jersey so she could care for them during this difficult time. It was a tangible expression of empathy, care, and belief that no family should face hardship alone.
None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors, the commitment of our board, and the dedication of ACU team members who believe deeply in serving others. On behalf of the ACU Foundation, thank you for helping turn compassion into action and impact into lasting change.
As we look ahead, we do so with gratitude, humility, and renewed determination to continue strengthening lives and communities in the year to come.
With sincere appreciation,
Amber Young
Chairman, ACU Foundation
To request assistance please use the application for aid below. For general inquiries or questions, please use the contact form at the bottom of this page.
Application for Aid
Meet Our Board
Amber Young
Amber Young is the Community Growth Strategist at America’s Credit Union (ACU) and a native of Thurston County. She began her career with ACU in 2009, where she had the opportunity to help members achieve their financial goals.
In 2011, Amber transitioned to the Marketing Department at ACU, where she worked closely with members and supported local nonprofits, servicemembers, and businesses.
Currently, Amber serves as the President of the Lacey South Sound Chamber. She also holds a position on the Tumwater Area Chamber of Commerce board, volunteers with various local charitable organizations, and participates in multiple committees to bring value to the community.
Amber attended the Lacey Community Academy and holds a certificate in Financial Counseling.
With the support of her colleagues and ACU Business Partners, Amber coordinates the ACU Annual Charity Golf Tournament, The Turkey Shoot, which raises an average of $50,000 annually for Joint Base Lewis-McChord charities. This tournament, held since 2000, inspired the creation of the ACU Foundation. As Chairman, Amber and the board members work to raise funds to improve the lives of community members.
Dan Nicholson
Dan Nicholson, a native of the Tacoma area and a graduate of the University of Washington, started his company Dzines, after years of research and strategic planning. He formed the idea after experiencing a multitude of entry-level and professional careers including healthcare, restaurants, hospitality, and criminal justice to name a few. During this time Dan realized the importance and the need for quality products and services to help businesses, teams and organizations grow. Today, we are supported by a network of sales professionals and product manufacturers with decades of experience in virtually every trade imaginable.
Joshua Howen
Joshua Howen is a Board member for the ACU Foundation. When he was 19 years old, Joshua became a “Big Brother” for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. This sparked his desire for serving his community. Joshua found himself wanting to do more for his community, country and himself and joined the military as a Military Policeman. After his service, Joshua found a new way to engage in the military community through serving on the Washington Council of Trout Unlimited as an executive board member who chairs their Veterans Service Partnership for the State of Washington. Joshua loves spending time exploring the PNW, fishing and hiking with his children. Joshua is excited to further his passion for helping veterans, service-members and their families through his position with the ACU Foundation.
Wayne McCarten
A Thurston County Native, Wayne has been the General Manager of Uptown Lounge in Yelm, WA, since 2018. With more than 20 years of restaurant experience, the position of GM has come natural to him. A bachelor’s in business studies from Washington State University has also come in handy with these endeavors. Wayne also has a passion for helping others. Through his work with the Keg Spirit Foundation, he has raised over $35,000 to support people in need, including families with a loved one battling leukemia. A proud supporter of our Armed Forces, Wayne hopes to bring his charitable experience to the ACU Foundation and make strides in improving the quality of life for the service members of JBLM.
Bill DeVore
Bill DeVore joined the ACU Foundation as a Board Member in 2024. Owner of the 507 Taproom in Yelm, WA, Bill is no stranger to hosting charitable events. Bill frequently hosts charitable functions at his location in Yelm and is passionate about supporting our Service Members. “Many of the folks who come through in Yelm are Veterans,” says Bill. “Providing them a place to relax, unwind, and forget about the stress they are under when protecting our country is the main mission of 507; a mission we do not take lightly. I am excited to be on The Board for The ACU Foundation so that I can continue to support our troops locally.”