CUs Support Medical Research, Animal Shelters & the Arts This Thanksgiving

Jeff Bentley, president/CEO, and staff members at the $3.4 billion, Herndon, Va.-based Northwest Federal Credit Union present a $2,500 donation to Cornerstones CEO Kerrie Wilson and members of Cornerstones staff on Nov. 16. Northwest Federal recently donated $2,500 in food and grocery store gift cards to Cornerstones, a nonprofit organization that promotes self-sufficiency, to support its Thanksgiving basket food drive. The donation will feed 50 local families. Northwest Federal employees helped collect food during the drive as part of their ongoing partnership with Cornerstones.

Gene Simmons, lead singer for the rock band Kiss, attends the VetFest Beer-B-Que hosted by the $4.4 billion Kinecta Federal Credit Union in Manhattan Beach, Calif. The event, hosted in honor of Veteran’s Day, included live music, barbeque and craft beer from Rock & Brews, which Simmons co-founded. The event welcomed more than 600 attendees and raised more than $35,000. All proceeds from the event will support Team Rubicon, United Services Organizations and Operation Mend, all nonprofit organizations that benefit veterans.

New homeowner Lisa Boyd (center), along with her granddaughter MyKayja, pose for a photograph with (from left) Tami Tenbarge and Bill Schirmer of the $1.5 billion Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union in Evansville, Ind., Memorial Baptist Church Pastor Reverend Adrian Brooks and Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Beth Folz to celebrate the dedication of Habitat for Humanity of Evansville’s 492nd home. The house was fully funded by members and employees of Evansville Teachers FCU, where Schirmer is president/CEO and president of the board of directors of the local Habitat chapter. Boyd is the owner of the new home and will share the house with her two grandchildren. Like all Habitat families, she will purchase the house via a noninterest loan while also paying all applicable property taxes.

Members and staff from the $53 million Harvester Financial Credit Union in Indianapolis, Ind., pose for a picture during the Hydrocephalus Association Walk on Sept. 29. Harvester Financial donated $1,300 to the Hydrocephalus Association, an organization that serves as the primary nexus for research on hydrocephalus, a condition defined by an abnormal, excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the cavities of the brain. For the fourth year, Harvester Financial has participated in the HA Walk and donated money to the organization.

From left to right, John Buckley, president/CEO for the $149 million Gerber Federal Credit Union in Fremont, Mich., presents a $25,000 check to Dogwood Center for Performing Arts Executive Director Marianne Boerigter and Dogwood Center for Performing Arts Board Chair Ken DeLaat. The $25,000 matching grant was donated to the “Leave a Legacy” capital campaign for improvements to the accessibility of the Dogwood Center for Performing Arts. This was one of three grants Gerber FCU awarded as part of a one-time community dividend.

Staff members from the $483 million BMI Federal Credit Union in Dublin, Ohio present a staff donation of $634 to the Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center. This donation will be used to help keep animals and humans safe by giving care to animals in need, providing adoption services and helping humans be responsible owners.

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