The Louisiana Credit Union League launched a social media challenge Friday, #LACUStrong, for the state’s and the nation’s credit unions to raise funds to help credit union employees affected by the historic floods that ravaged southeast Louisiana.

The American Red Cross called the Louisiana flooding the worst natural disaster since Superstorm Sandy four years ago. In addition to thousands of people who have lost everything, early estimates predict the relief effort could cost at least $30 million, Red Cross officials have reported.

Connie Major, EVP and CFO of the Louisiana league, said earlier this week that credit union CEOs and staff around the state have lost everything.

The $28.7 million NAS JRB Credit Union in New Orleans was the first cooperative to kick off the social media initiative, the Louisiana CU Strong Challenge, #LACUStrong.

“As we all are aware 20 parishes in the state of Louisiana have suffered tremendous damages and devastations during the recent flooding,” Helen S. Delin, president/CEO of NAS JRB, said in video post on the Louisiana’s league Facebook and Twitter pages. ”Because of this, the NAS JRB Credit Union has accepted the Louisiana CU Strong Challenge and has made a $1,000 donation to the Louisiana Foundation. We challenge all other credit unions to match or beat our donation and to have a member of your team complete 20 pushups in support of the estimated 20 branches that have sustained damages during the recent flooding to show we are Louisiana strong.”

Eight credit unions, the $280 million Baton Rouge Telco FCU, the $47.8 million BRECO FCU, the $343 million EFCU Financial FCU, the $399 million Jefferson Financial CU, the $197 million Lafayette Schools FCU, the $32.2 million LES FCU, the $752 million Neighbors FCU, and the $273 million Pelican State CU, still had 12 branches closed on Friday, according to the Louisiana league.

"We want to encourage friendly competition amongst our credit unions as they challenge each other to match or beat each other in donations to the Louisiana Foundation," LCUL President/CEO Anne Cochran said.  "We have a strong CU movement in Louisiana, and we want to show the rest of the country just how resilient we are."

To participate in the Louisiana CU Strong Challenge, credit unions are welcome to post a video or their official challenge accepted photo using the hashtag #LACUStrong. Make sure to email the video/photo to Lacey Hyer, [email protected], the Louisiana league’s vice president of communications and public relations, along with the main contact for the challenge.

Leagues, vendors and other credit union supporters are also welcome to participate in the social media challenge.

Anyone can challenge a specific credit union or just make a general call out. Every credit union that makes a donation will receive signs for their branches, letting their members know that they've donated to the Louisiana CU Foundation to help flood victims.

The largest donation in each asset category among Louisiana credit unions will be awarded a free lunch hosted by the league, along with bragging rights. Louisiana credit unions that donate more than a $1,000 will receive a free registration for league’s webinar of their choice. In addition, Louisiana credit unions that donate to the foundation through the challenge will receive a special sweet treat delivered by a league team member, and all donors will receive recognition in League publications.