CUs Support Education, Service Members & Children’s Hospitals

Employees from the $1 billion Bay Federal Credit Union in Capitola, Calif., raise $11,055.33 in May for their annual Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fundraiser. Thanks to a philanthropic match of $10,000 from CO-OP Financial Services, Bay Federal sent more than $21,000 to Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation. Bay Federal received CO-OP Financial Services’ Miracle Match in recognition of its creative fundraising methods. Bay Federal raised funds through raffles, bake sales, branch decorating contests and a “Coin Wars” competition to collect pocket change at the credit union’s corporate offices. The credit union surpassed the amount it raised last year by more than $500. The funds raised will remain local at the nearest Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation. The foundation regularly serves sick, injured and special needs children in Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties.

Staff from the $162 million New Dimensions Federal Credit Union in Waterville, Maine present a $16,741.55 check to the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. New Dimensions raised $11,741.55 for the cancer program by hosting its sixth annual Cruisin’ For a Cure Car Show. The Children’s Miracle Network donated $5,000 for a total donation of $16,741.55. Each year the proceeds from the car show benefit the Maine Children’s Cancer Program, an affiliate of The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center, located in Scarborough, Maine. This year’s event was the biggest event yet with a record-breaking 160 participants who entered their cars into one of the 24 car classes offered.

Employees from the $1.4 billion Hanscom Federal Credit Union in Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., present a $1,500 donation to the U.S. Army Natick Morale Welfare and Recreation on behalf of the Armed Forces Financial Network. This grant matches the Board Memorial Award of $1,500 given to the U.S. Army Natick MWR at the end of 2018 by Hanscom FCU. The U.S. Army MWR serves as a resource for service members and their families for enrichment programs and connection to their local communities. These programs include relocation preparation, providing information about community recreational events and mentorship opportunities. The Natick MWR also serves the greater military community by supporting Air Force, Coast Guard and Marine personnel who are assigned to the Natick Soldiers System Center.

Dave Gunderson (far right), president/CEO for the $1.5 billion Credit Union of Southern California in Anaheim, Calif., presents a check representing a combined total of $200,000 in donations to local charities at the Wake Up Whittier networking event held by the Whittier Chamber of Commerce on July 17. Also pictured from left to right are Whittier City Councilmember Cathy Warner, CU SoCal Board Members Elizabeth Camp and Christopher George, Whittier City Councilmember Henry Bouchot, Whittier Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Carol Crosby and State Senator Bob Archuleta.

Board representatives from the Y-12 Federal Credit Union Gives Foundation, the charitable arm of the $1.2 billion Y-12 in Oak Ridge, Tenn., present educational grants to five local non-profit organizations on July 22. These grants will specifically assist the organizations in funding their education-related initiatives for their clientele. From left to right are Dawn Flatford and Michelle Shaffer, Y-12 Gives Foundation board members; Emily Gibson, Oak Ridge Computer Science Girls board member; Creed Mushimbo, executive director of the Blossom Center; Becky Hook, Adfac’s school supply coordinator; Rhoni Basden, executive director at Girls Inc.; Scott Bacon of the Education Foundation Anderson County/Clinton; Jennifer Brown, Y-12 Gives Foundation board president; and Mark Carter, Y-12 Gives Foundation board vice president.

Employees from the $1.5 billion LBS Financial Credit Union in Westminster, Calif., present two $1,000 checks to scholarship winners. From left to right are Heather Summers, SVP of marketing at LBS Financial; Christina Palacios, scholarship winner; Victoria Benefield, scholarship winner; and Jeffrey Napper, president/CEO for LBS Financial. This year LBS Financial also awarded scholarships of up to $500 to students at 36 schools, including 34 high school students, two college students, and two adult school students. The credit union works directly with each school to select the recipient and present a plaque with the check to the student.

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