DONATIONS

WesCorp Credit Union, San Dimas, Calif., has donated blood to the American Red Cross. Over 30 employees participated in the blood drive. The pints of blood donated will go to the Red Cross for use in its national blood supply. Everyone who donated blood received a bouquet of flowers courtesy of the corporate’s employee activities committee. First South Credit Union, Memphis, Tenn., has sponsored this year’s University of Memphis’ Up `til Dawn event, which celebrates the student’s fundraising efforts for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The 24 hour philanthropic event is a fun-filled celebration of activities and entertainment where students, faculty and sponsors bond. Over $60,000 has been raised this year. This success has sparked a nationwide interest in the program. The Up `til Dawn event at the University of Memphis will serve as a model event that will be implemented at other campuses. Founded by the late entertainer, Danny Thomas, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital treats patients regardless of race, religion, creed or ability to pay. Since opening in 1962, St. Jude has treated more than 15,000 children from across the United States and 60 foreign countries. Treatment protocols developed at St. Jude have brought survival rates for childhood cancers from less than 20% to better than 60% overall. Credit Union Affiliates of New Jersey, Hightstown, Special Events/Meeting Planner Yvette Segarra has volunteered her time to The Sharing Network to build awareness for organ and tissue donation. The Sharing Network is a federally certified, state-approved, procurement organization responsible for recovering organs and tissue for New Jersey residents currently awaiting transplants. Segarra became involved with The Sharing Network in 1999 when her son Jason passed away. Jason had completed a donor card that instructed that his organs be donated to someone in need. Yvette respected his wishes and later began supporting the organization’s goal to increase the number of potential organ donors through public awareness about the lifesaving benefits of transplantation. Over the last several months, Segarra has spoken to credit union chapters throughout New Jersey about the importance of organ and tissue donation. Power 1 Credit Union, Hialeah, Fla., has played host to several participants from FOMIR, Fortalecimiento de Las Microfinanzas Rurales or in English, Strengthening of Rural Microfinance, a financial organization of credit unions and banks in El Salvador. Development Alternatives, Inc., a consulting firm based in Bethesda, Maryland, coordinated the meeting between Power 1 and FOMIR. DAI provides technical assistance to banks, credit union, and non-profit finance organizations that make financial services available to microentrepreneurs outside of San Salvador, the capital of the country. FOMIR is a three-year project funded by the United States Agency for International Development. Representatives from three credit unions were among the 15 participants in a three-day workshop designed to develop specific skills in managing the risks of microfinance, including credit risk and operational risk as well as managing profitability, management information systems, new product development, and human resources.