Credit Unions Support MADD, Cancer Research & Children’s Hospitals

The $1.4 billion Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union in Lowell, Mass., teams up with the New England Patriots Football Alumni Club to bring Football For YOU to Lowell, Nashua, N.H. and Lawrence, Mass. This free, one-day, non-contact football clinic, coached by Patriots Alumni players, focuses on strength and conditioning, sportsmanship, leadership and nutrition. The credit union also purchased a meal for participants to enjoy.

An employee from the $508 million BMI Federal Credit Union in Dublin, Ohio presents a check to a representative from Mothers Against Drunk Drivers for its Central Ohio Walk Like MADD event for 2019. The event is set to occur on Oct. 1 and aims to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving. It will also honor loved ones who have been lost to these avoidable accidents. BMI FCU remains a long-time sponsor of the organization.

From left to right, Krista Svedberg, Debbie Zaidi, Megan Diehl, James Gallagher, Patricia Matuozzi, Debra Chapman, Keith Miller and Richard Klefsky from the $1.1 billion Suffolk Federal Credit Union in Medford, N.Y., pose for a picture during the LI2Day Breast Cancer Walk. Each year, Suffolk Federal and its members proudly support the LI2Day Breast Cancer Walk, a local nonprofit that raises awareness and funds for breast cancer and other cancer research, to benefit cancer sufferers, survivors and their families, and to support organizations that are participating in such efforts. This year, with a combined sponsorship donation and member fundraising efforts, Suffolk Federal raised more than $3,000 for the cause.

The $1.3 billion Hanscom Federal Credit Union in Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., names WWII veteran Allison Blaney as its first Heroes Among Us honoree of 2019. Blaney was honored on June 27 at LeLacheur Park in Lowell, Mass., where the Lowell Spinners beat the Tri-City ValleyCats. Blaney was able to meet with the players, throw the first pitch of the game, enjoy a summertime meal from Home Plate BBQ, and watch the Spinners play from a private suite with friends and family. Blaney, 94, was nominated for the Hero Among Us program by Alix Belandria, Hanscom’s Natick branch manager. Belandria said during one of Blaney’s weekly visits to the branch, located at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center, he mentioned he’d served as an Army medic during World War II. He parachuted with the 101st Airborne onto Utah Beach in France before dawn on June 6, 1944, hearing the whiz of bullets around him as he approached the beach. He then, with other medics, marched for three miles to a nearby chateau, where over the next six days he worked tirelessly as a surgical technician caring for wounded soldiers during the D-Day invasion. He later served in England, Holland, Belgium, and Germany during the war. Blaney was discharged from the Army in 1952, but re-enlisted for another 10 years before retiring in 1962.

Employees from the $2.1 billion Elevations Credit Union based in Boulder, Colo., pose for a photo at A Precious Child located in Broomfield, Colo. Two-hundred and twenty-five participants, including 149 Elevations employees and 76 Elevations members, contributed 1,490 volunteer hours during the first-ever Prosperity Month. This total exceeds the goal set for the month of June to give back 1,000 volunteer hours. Volunteers completed a variety of projects over the course of the month.

From left to right, president/CEO Thom Powers and vice president of marketing and member experience Mike Mattone from the $61 million Hudson River Financial Federal Credit Union in Mohegan Lake, N.Y.; Westchester Medical Center Director of CMN Programs and Community Affairs Heather McGorman; Hudson River Financial Senior Teller Joyce Vogt and Vice President/COO Chris Powers pose for photo at Hudson River Financial’s branch to celebrate the credit union’s donation of $500 after participating in the Credit Unions for Kids’ Change a Child’s Life program. Hudson River Financial members, employees and school partners raised $500 for Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital as part of Children’s Miracle Network Change a Child’s Life Campaign. The credit union collected loose change donations during the months of April and May, received contributions from the Edenwald School students and staff, and made an additional contribution on behalf of teachers at Hillcrest Elementary School in Peekskill, N.Y., for their efforts in helping local communities.

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