Service Credit Union Donates Record Amount To Salvation Army

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – Service Credit Union donated $125,000 to the Salvation Army recently to assist victims of last week’s floods in New Hampshire. According to Salvation Army officials, the contribution is the largest the local organization has ever received. “It is extremely generous and very heartwarming when people see a situation and proactively step up, such as Service Credit Union has done,” said Captain Scott Flanders, Executive Director of the Portsmouth Salvation Army office. Flanders added that 100% of the donation will assist flood victims with critical needs, such as food and clothing. The check was presented at the State House in Concord. New Hampshire Governor John Lynch commended Service Credit Union on its donation to help impacted communities. “Our philosophy is that of `people helping people’ and while we practice that every day in dealing with our members’ financial needs, it does not stop there,” said Gordon Simmons, Service CU President/CEO. Service CU used existing funds in its operating budget to make the donation, said Karen Benedetti, Vice President of Marketing. “We had earmarked money for donations this year, and our budget is very well managed, so we were able to work within our budget to accommodate that amount,” Benedetti said. The credit union is launching a community fund raising effort as well, accepting donations from members and non-members through November 19. Service CU has a field of membership that extends eligibility to those who live or work in New Hampshire and select communities in Massachusetts. Military and civilian employees of the Department of Defense are also eligible, and the credit union operates overseas branches to accommodate military personnel. Service CU recently reached two major growth milestones: $1 billion in assets and 100,000 members.