Helping the Needy With Necessities: Community News

The $2.7 billion First Community Credit Union in Chesterfield, Mo., raised $2,156.96 for Children’s Miracle Network of Greater St. Louis. From left to right, Vice President of Marketing Laura Alfeldt, Children’s Miracle Network Executive Director Krista Lucy, and Marketing Specialist Nicci Yount pose for a photo with the check donation. The credit union partnered with Six Flags St. Louis to sell discounted theme park tickets to their members at each of their 44 area locations. A portion of each ticket sold went toward a donation to Children’s Miracle Network of Greater St. Louis.

Edith Franklin (front row, left), president/CEO for the $197 million New Horizons Credit Union in Mobile, Ala., presents a check for $3,500 from fundraising efforts to American Cancer Society Representative Marlene Rathle (center), with fellow New Horizons staff. New Horizons raised most of the funds through a loan campaign whereby every loan closed during the month of October would generate $10 to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Additional funds were raised via branch member and staff contributions. This year’s Mobile Making Strides Walk was canceled due to extreme bad weather conditions. The additional funds collected helped with the overall fundraising endeavors of the organization.

Tim Anderson (left), president/CEO for the $986 million U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union in Alexandria, Va., and U.S. Senate FCU Board Member Margo Rushing (right) present a check to Carpenter’s Shelter Executive Director Shannon Steene (center) for $25,000. Carpenter’s Shelter has been a leader in finding solutions that permanently end and prevent homelessness in the greater Alexandria area for almost 40 years. It is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, and serves more than 625 men, women and children annually. It also offers a 60-bed emergency shelter with rigorous case management, education, employment and housing services; and a day shelter (David’s Place) that addresses the basic needs of chronically homeless individuals. It also runs the City of Alexandria Winter Shelter from November to April, and a Community Case Management program that continues to support clients who have graduated from the shelter for a minimum of one year. Carpenter’s Shelter is meeting the immediate needs of homeless individuals and families while also educating them in life skills, providing them with employment counseling, and helping them transition into stability and self-sufficiency.

Students from four Detroit-area schools pose for a photo during a financial bootcamp offered by the $297 million Public Service Credit Union in Romulus, Mich. The bootcamp helped high school students prepare for the real world by providing education in skills like budgeting, car maintenance, job interview tips, healthy living habits and more. The bootcamp was offered on a first come, first serve basis and nearly 300 students attended.

The $335 million First New York Federal Credit Union in Albany, N.Y., shows off the results of its toilet paper and paper towel drive. The credit union collected 11,119 rolls of toilet paper and 3,024 rolls of paper towels from all branches and their company headquarters. First New York’s goal was to collect toilet paper and paper towels to share with Catholic Charities Tri-County Services, an agency made up of programs that assist the needy with the basic necessities of life.

From left to right, Jon Paradise, vice president of communications and public relations, and Linda Halleran, community engagement manager for the $401 million Town & Country Federal Credit Union in Scarborough, Maine, present a check to Kathryn Sargent, executive director of The Locker Project. The donation will fund 500 backpacks that The Locker Project will distribute to needy kids and their families over the holiday break.

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