CUs Step Up for the Homeless & People With Medical Needs

Team members at the $8.6 billion Digital Federal Credit Union in Marlborough, Mass., volunteer their time to package 32,000 meals to benefit area food pantries in partnership with The Outreach Program and End Hunger NE on Sept. 18, 2018 at the Marlborough, Mass., operations center. Each day, 41 million Americans are unaware of where their next meal is coming from. With the help of Digital FCU, The Outreach Program packaged their 26 millionth meal. In support of The Outreach Program’s mission of ending hunger and enriching lives, Digital FCU team members happily formed assembly lines inside their Marlborough operations center, where they prepared and sealed packages of macaroni and cheese, minestrone, beans and rice, and apple cinnamon oatmeal. Digital FCU sponsored 20,000 meals and the remainder were sponsored by Old Sol of Manchester, N.H., and the Wellesley Congregational United Church of Christ. The credit union distributed a portion of the packaged meals to Lawrence, Mass., area food pantries to support individuals and families displaced by the recent Merrimack Valley natural gas explosions. Meals were also donated to the South Middlesex Opportunity Council, which will be distributed to local communities across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The $892 million RTN Federal Credit Union in Waltham, Mass., and RTN GoodWorks Foundation present a check for $21,000 to the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless on Sept. 17. Pictured (left to right) are Viana Lucchesi, RTN assistant vice president of human resources; Joan Kuhn, board member of RTN GoodWorks Foundation; Robyn Frost, Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless executive director; Sarita Ledani, RTN vice president for business development and executive director, RTN GoodWorks Foundation; Ann-Marie Gordon, RTN vice president of operations; Ann Kane, RTN mortgage closer; and Nicole James, RTN senior vice president of retail services and treasurer, RTN GoodWorks Foundation. The funds are proceeds raised from Walk Home 2018, which took place in June. Walk Home, the credit union’s signature fundraising event, brings together RTN members and staff, along with community residents, local and state dignitaries and politicians, and business sponsors. 5k Walk events were held simultaneously in Danvers, Dorchester and Waltham. Walk Home funds are used to help homeless teens and families in Danvers, Waltham and Boston, as well as support the work of the Coalition.

The $2.3 billion American Heritage Credit Union in Philadelphia, Penn., holds its inaugural coat drive to support the Delaware Valley Veterans Home and Veterans Multi-Service Center. From July to September, American Heritage employees were encouraged to donate new or gently used coats to veterans and their families. With tremendous support from the American Heritage employees, 235 coats were collected and donated to the organization. The Supportive Services for Veteran Families is a Veterans Administration program that aids low-income veterans and their families residing in or transitioning to permanent housing. SSVF affiliates provide a range of financial assistance and supportive services designed to promote housing stability. Financial assistance can include help with back rent, mortgage or utility payments for families struggling to remain in their homes.

The community crew from the $564 million Align Credit Union in Lowell, Mass., pose for a picture during a bed building event. Pictured (top row, left to right) are: Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless Executive Director Robyn Frost; Align EVP and CFO Tom Hammond; Align SVP, Retail Joanne McCarthy; Align Web Content Manager Karen Manuelian; Align Danvers Branch Member Service Representative Maggie Tupman; Align Senior Mortgage Underwriter Wendy Gagnon and Align Vice President, Marketing Lauren Robinson. In the bottom row (left to right) are: A Bed for Every Child Program Director Tina Giarla, Align Assistant Vice President and Retail Business Analyst Jessica Daigneault and Align Danvers Branch Teller Samuel Rios. At these events, volunteers assemble, sand and paint beds that will be donated to children in need. Align is also supporting the program by promoting it in its marketing and social media efforts, and accepting donations from members and the community at every Align branch.

The new Bicycle EMT unit in Duluth, Minn., debuts at the NorthShore Inline Marathon, courtesy of a partnership between the $2.1 billion Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union in St. Paul, Minn., and the Duluth Fire Department. Pictured (left to right) are: Sydney Perret, Affinity Plus member advisor; Captain Jamie Dawson; Amanda Bruggman, Affinity Plus Duluth branch manager and firefighter Corey Danelski. In an effort to bolster public safety during Duluth-area festivals and events, Affinity Plus and several area organizations donated resources to help establish a bicycle emergency medical technician unit. The Duluth Fire Department and Affinity Plus partnered to provide the first four bicycles for the emergency medical service, allowing medical personnel access to events and areas that may be congested and not readily accessible to vehicles.

Golfers, guests and volunteers pose for a picture while enjoying a day on the green to raise money to bring joy, hope and smiles to children facing medical hardship or illness through the We Promise Foundation, the charitable arm of the $2.1 billion Chartway Federal Credit Union in Virginia Beach, Va. The We Promise Foundation hosted two inspirational events to raise funds for children facing medical hardship or illness. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and supporters, the 13th Annual We Promise Foundation Gala and 20th Annual Charity Golf Classic events raised $523,000 for We Promise heroes. The 13th Annual We Promise Foundation Gala was held on Sept. 19 at the Hilton Norfolk The Main hotel.

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