CUs Funnel Funds to Worthy Causes

Board Member Greg Aguilar (center) of the $416 million Ascentra Credit Union in Bettendorf, Iowa, presents a $1,000 donation check to One by One on behalf of the Ascentra Credit Union Foundation. This summer, the foundation awarded a total of $17,000 to 31 different organizations and charities throughout the region. These efforts stem from the credit union’s “people helping people” philosophy and encouragement of staff to volunteer and give back to the community. In 2015, the foundation committee established $1,000 Leadership Grants for the Ascentra volunteer board of directors and senior leadership team to support causes that are meaningful to them. Since their establishment, the leadership grants have positively impacted over 74 organizations and awarded a total of $68,000.

Mark S. Cochran (far right), president/CEO  of the $1.4 billion Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union in Lowell, Mass., presents Taylor Goodman-Leong (second from left) with an award for winning the credit union’s national non-profit day campaign and a $2,018 donation for her non-profit, For the Love of Erika. Goodman-Leong started the organization at age seven in honor and memory of her childhood friend who passed away from brain cancer. Goodman-Leong stands with her mother, Laura Goodman, and her sisters, Jessica and Madison, who volunteer and recruit others to assist the organization’s mission.

Dee Dee Côté (right) from the $2.5 billion Robins Financial Credit Union in Warner Robin, Ga., presents a check to scholarship recipient Tyler Sapp (center) along with Ted Ramsdell (left) from Georgia Military College. Robins Financial recently made a $4,000 donation to Georgia Military College to award a student a one-year scholarship. Tyler Sapp was selected as the recipient for this scholarship. He is pursuing his associate of science degree in Early Childhood Education.

From left to right, Brandon Severson, Gail O’Brien, Sara Engblom, JoAnne Nelson, Kristin Klapste, Donna Benson, Bridget Petersen and Kjell Luetschwager from the $1 billion SPIRE Credit Union in Falcon Heights, Minn., present funds raised for Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. SPIRE employees at all 18 branch and office locations recently participated in a fundraiser benefitting Gillette Children’s. Employees who purchased Credit Unions for Kids fundraising T-shirt would earn the privilege of wearing jeans to work every Tuesday in July. Proceeds from shirt sales resulted in a donation of $1,500. SPIRE is a long-time supporter of Gillette Children’s. Throughout the year, candy bars and models of its iconic Archie truck are sold at all locations, and employees participate in various Credit Unions for Kids fundraisers such as Mingle for Miracles, Bowl-O-Rama and Miracle Jeans Day. So far in 2018, SPIRE has raised more than $7,500. Since 1996, SPIRE has donated more than $300,000 to Credit Unions for Kids, which benefits Gillette Children’s locally.

Foundation Executive Director Jama Campbell (front row, left) from the $38.3 billion State Employees’ Credit Union in Raleigh, N.C., and Alice Garland, SECU Foundation Board Member (front row, right) present a $40,000 ceremonial check to Kathy Bobbitt, executive director of Alleghany Partnership for Children (front row, center) and project supporters. The $40,000 donation will benefit children and families in Alleghany County and help the organization assess its strengths, strategize, and develop a financial plan that will bring them closer to achieving their vision of building a new Children’s Advocacy and Resource Center in Sparta.

Sarah Borland, Director of Business and Community Development at the $483 million BMI Federal Credit Union, presents a check donation for $1,768.50 to Jill Grosenheider-Rudd of the Alzheimer’s Association. This was added to an additional donation last December for a total of $2,500. This money will help sponsor the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sept. 23 at Huntington Park. The event and cause are open for public registration or donations.

Please send your Community news items to Tahira Hayes at thayes@cutimes.com.