Credit unions continue to raise disaster relief funds

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The passing of the Thanksgiving holiday has also marked the end of the National Credit Union Foundation accepting donations for the Credit Unions Rebuild America Disaster Relief Fund. Established to provide the credit union movement with a central collection point through which to support relief efforts currently underway in New York, Washington, D.C. and other communities affected by terrorist attacks, the CURA Fund has accumulated over $490,000 so far. Seventy-five percent of money raised will go to the Red Cross and 25% will go to the September 11th Fund. “It’s been amazing to watch the credit union response to the events of Sept. 11,” said Bruce Wheeler, director of donor and public relations for the NCUF. “Not just in support of CURA, but also in support of the New York CU Foundation and other relief groups.” Other relief organizations will continue to accept donations through the end of the year. Here is one last look at how credit unions have supported relief efforts so far: Southern Nevada credit unions have collected more than $36,000 during the last two months to help victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The organizations contributed to include the American Red Cross, the Army Relief Fund, Credit Unions Rebuild America, the Navy/Marine Relief Fund, the New York CU Foundation, and the Twin Towers Fund. Some credit unions raised money by selling pins and buttons, while others simply took donations from members, staff and volunteers. In addition, Weststar Credit Union members raised $5,000 for the Red Cross, and the credit union’s board of directors approved $5,000 in matching funds. North Island Financial Credit Union has purchased 400 United We Stand t-shirts for its employees from Sweetwater High School to raise funds for relief efforts. So far NIFCU has provided $10,000 to fund the US Navy’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department; donated $5,000 to the USO for ongoing support of active military personnel and their families; donated $1,000 to the families of victims of Marsh Corporation, NIFCU’s human resources consulting firm, which had offices in the World Trade Center; donated $1,000 to the Rescue Task Force to assist with their efforts in helping single-parent military families locally; and donated $1,000 to the New York Credit Union League to aid credit unions which lost their offices in the World Trade Center. Allied Solutions, LLC, a provider of financial products, has contributed $10,000 to the NAFCU Disaster Relief Fund, which will support the American Red Cross’s efforts in the recovery and rebuilding efforts. Crescent Credit Union has raised over $4,000 for the American Red Cross by selling red, white and blue God Bless America T-shirts and patriotic ribbons made by teller Kristin Cortissoz. Schools Financial Credit Union has teamed up with Buckeye Elementary School for the students’ Pennies for Patriotism drive. Buckeye students collected pennies for one month and presented the American Red Cross with a check for $2,324.96, counted by Schools, to be directed toward the Children’s Relief Fund. In addition, SFCU has presented the American Red Cross with a check for over $15,700 toward the Disaster Relief Fund. The Credit Union Affiliates of New Jersey will honor the Harrison Fire Department and firefighters Greg Ellis and Jim Lawless for their fundraising efforts. About 20 firefighters, standing on the platform of the PATH subway station in Harrison and at busy intersections throughout town, collected donations from commuters heading to work and in one day collected $19,000 – in two four-hour shifts. In total, over $50,000 was collected. Envision Credit Union Member Service Representative Lana DuPont has created “Pride in America” pins for staff to show their support. The credit union raised over $300 for the United Way Disaster Relief Fund. Community Federal Credit Union has provided account and wire services to the Plymouth Community Firefighters, who raised $45,000 for the families of fire fighters who lost their lives in New York. The credit union contributed nearly $500 and placed a fireman’s boot in its Plymouth branch to collect donations. CFCU is now providing children with pre-printed envelopes to send donations to President Bush’s Afghanistan Youth Relief Fund. In another effort, credit union staff wore jeans to contribute nearly $800 toward the Make A Difference Day Scholarship Fund established for families of the tragedy. The credit union matched these donations for a total contribution of $1,600. Founders Federal Credit Union has made a $25,000 donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The Texas Credit Union Foundation has received $175,317 from credit unions throughout the state for the U.S.A. Recovery Fund. TCUF established the fund to provide assistance to those affected by the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Contributions to the U.S.A. Recovery fund may designated for the New York State Credit Union Foundation (NYSCUF), the Pentagon Disaster Relief Fund and/or the Credit Unions Rebuild America (CURA) Fund. TCUF says it will begin allocating funds in December. Seventeen Alabama credit unions and Service Centers joined together to help raise over $6,000 for the CURA Fund. The fundraising efforts started with CUSC, Inc. and were expanded to include all Alabama credit unions. Participating credit unions distributed static cling flag decals to their membership for a minimum of a $1.00 donation. Participating credit unions and service centers included: Tenco CU, People’s First CU, Baldwin Educators CU, Montgomery VA CU, Alabama Rural Electric CU, Colbert Brown’s Ferry CU, Dunlop CU, Mobile Educators CU, Tuscaloosa Teachers CU, Blue Flame CU, Hoover Service Center, Huffman Service Center, Forestdale Service Center, Montgomery Service Center, Tuscaloosa Service Center, University FCU, Social Security CU, First Educators CU, Brewton CCA FCU, Alabama River ECU, Costal Waters CU, and Degussa ECU. AltaOne Federal Credit Union joined forces with the Ridgecrest Auto Dealers during a Stars and Stripes Auto Sale to raise $9,700 for the American Red Cross National Relief Fund. Workers Credit Union has made special United Way September 11th Fund pledge forms and postage-paid envelopes available at all of its locations to facilitate donations. Morse Printing and Graphics provided the printing and Curtis 1000 donated the envelopes. In addition, WCU has contributed $1,000 to the fund. First Community Credit Union employees raised $1,900 for the New York Police & Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund, which the credit union matched bringing the total contribution to over $3,800. Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union employees made over 3000 patriotic flag pins using a total of 27,000 safety pins and 216,000 beads. SSFCU raised a total of $6,000. Wright-Patt Credit Union has established the Stars and Stripes Recovery Fund and has raised $20,000. All proceeds will then be donated to the September 11th Fund. Earthmover Credit Union has donated $3,377.65 to the American Red Cross. Nassau Educators Federal Credit Union has launched a campaign to make a donation of $25 to disaster relief for each auto loan it makes through the end of November. The board has already donated $11,000 to the Twin Towers Fund; $3,000 to the NAFCU Foundation September 11 American Red Cross Relief Fund; $3,000 to the United Way September 11 Fund; and $3,000 to the Salvation Army. NEFCU hopes to raise an additional $10,000 from the auto loan campaign. Dupaco Community Credit Union, KAT FM Radio, and Cinema Center 8 Theaters have raised $1,000 for the American Red Cross during a recent Halloween Benefit Movie event. US Airways Federal Credit Union has hosted a Fall Fest for America and raised $14,000 to benefit the New York Firemen/Police Squad Fund, Pittsburgh Salvation Army, and the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Missoula Federal Credit Union has presented the American Red Cross with a check totaling $13,500. CEFCU has donated a total of $16,156 to the American Red Cross Liberty Fund. Orange County Teachers Federal Credit Union has donated more than $19,000 to the New York Credit Union Foundation Disaster Relief Fund and more than $10,000 to the American Red Cross. [email protected]