Credit Unions Support Local Veterans, Seniors & Students

The Kirby family accepts a box containing keys to their new house prior to moving in on June 16 after fulfilling their sweat equity commitment (an investment of unpaid labor) and undergoing training on personal finance and maintenance for homeowners, among other requirements. The Kirby family was the first Habitat Monterey Bay family to secure funds for their new home through the $976 million Bay Federal Credit Union in Capitola, Calif. As part of its commitment to champion affordable housing locally, Bay Federal pledged $1.5 million in low-interest financing for families in the Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay program. Up until now, Habitat Monterey Bay has carried and serviced all the loans for its homes. Going forward, Bay Federal’s financial support will enable Habitat Monterey Bay to serve even more families as it looks to expand its portfolio of affordable homes by 30% over the next five years. With volunteer labor and often-discounted property, $1.5 million will translate into approximately five new dwellings. While Bay Federal has worked with Habitat Monterey Bay in the past to provide families with counseling from a certified financial educator ahead of their home purchase, this is Habitat Monterey Bay’s first partnership for third-party financing. Third-party financing is a proven model at other Habitat for Humanity organizations across the nation, in which families take out loans at below-market interest rates with established lenders instead of carrying zero interest mortgages through Habitat for Humanity. Habitat Monterey Bay serves individuals and families who earn 50% to 80% of the area median income in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.

Leaders from the $796 million Kirtland Federal Credit Union in Albuquerque, N.M., pose for a picture with scholarship recipients during Kirtland Federal Credit Union’s annual scholarship breakfast last month. From left to right are Lyn Kirkwood, board of directors vice chair; Tom Shoemaker, president/CEO; Caleb Bock, scholarship recipient; Caleb Bock’s mother; Karina Adam’s mother and father; Karina Adam, scholarship recipient; Brianna Sanchez’s mother and father; and Brianna Sanchez. Shoemaker awarded Brianna Sanchez a $2,000 scholarship for the University of New Mexico, Karina Adam a $1,500 scholarship for the University of New Mexico and Caleb Bock $1,000 for New Mexico Tech. In addition to their scholarships, each winner received a free laptop computer, school supplies and $200 gift card courtesy of Target. The three winners were among more than 30 scholarship applicants who submitted essays on various topics. The scholarship program is offered as the capstone to the Club F.I.T. program at the credit union, which aims to foster and encourage smart savings and spending habits in young adults.

Jimmie Perkins, center, stands with volunteers from the $1.4 billion Pen Air Federal Credit Union in Pensacola, Fla., and the 451st Flying Training Air Force Squadron. On Tuesday, Sept. 11, in recognition of the National Day of Service, Pen Air partnered with Purple Heart Homes’ program Operation Veteran Home Renovation to help Jimmie Perkins, a local veteran, with much-needed home repairs. Perkins’ home was chosen as one of two veteran’s homes in Pensacola to receive renovations through a national collaboration with the National League of Cities, Purple Heart Homes and the Home Depot Foundation. The program was brought to Pensacola with the intent of upgrading and performing major home repairs for approved veterans. Pen Air donated $5,000 toward the project costs. His home repairs will first focus on safety issues inside and outside the home, and include railings, ramps, grab bars, paint and landscaping. All repairs will be completed by Nov. 12, Veteran’s Day. Perkins enlisted in the Army to serve in the Vietnam War in 1962. He served in Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri before being stationed in Germany. He transitioned to the Army Reserves in 1970, where he served for many more years. After leaving the military he returned to civilian life in Pensacola, where he became a teacher. Operation Veteran Home Renovation was created to bring awareness to the many housing challenges older veterans and their families face.

Staff from the $483 million BMI Federal Credit Union in Dublin, Ohio, present a donation to the Dublin Coffman Marching Band for their Band on the Run 5k in October. All funds raised will benefit the Dublin Coffman Marching Band. This is a staff donation from BMI, for which employees choose the organizations that are most important to them.

Staff at the $638 million Greater Texas Credit Union in Austin, Texas, present a check to Family Eldercare. Greater Texas CU raised $1,000 for the Family Eldercare Summer Fan Drive, assisting in Family Eldercare’s goal to distribute 7,000 fans in 2018. Family Eldercare was founded in 1982 by a group of professionals dedicated to supporting the family’s role as caregivers for frail elders through training and information. The agency soon expanded to include services to prevent abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of elders and adults with disabilities. The distribution of fans has grown from 50 fans to frail elders in Austin in 1990, to an annual average distribution of 6,000 fans to low-income older adults, people with disabilities and families with children in 11 to 12 Central Texas counties. Family Eldercare carries out the Summer Fan Drive in collaboration with local media, businesses/corporations and other social service providers, along with 45 community distribution sites and teams of volunteers.

Gregory Bryan, branch manager for the $1 billion Suffolk Federal Credit Union in Medford, N.Y., presents a $1,000 contribution to The Port Jefferson Lion’s Club. From left to right are Russell Sands, former Lion’s Club president; Dan Jacoby, Lion’s Club vice president; Gregory Bryan, Suffolk Federal Miller Place branch manager; and Dean Jenkins, Lion’s Club president. To support the charitable work of local organizations that serve the areas of Suffolk Federal branch locations, Suffolk Federal identified nonprofit organizations to support. The Port Jefferson Lion’s Club raises more than $10,000 per year to feed more than 120 families in need during the holiday season.

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