Credit Unions & Fiserv Give Back to Their Communities

For the 10th consecutive year, the $1.5 billion Hanscom Federal Credit Union in Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., participated in the Cooperative Credit Union Association’s annual Gift of Warmth blanket drive to benefit the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. The credit union collected a total of 148 blankets to donate to families receiving a bed through the A Bed for Every Child initiative, which helps ensure every child has a warm, comfortable bed to get a peaceful night’s sleep in. Additionally, a total of 78 hats that were sewn, knitted and crocheted by Hanscom FCU employees were donated to the Coalition to help supplement warm winter clothing for children in need. From left to right in the back row are David Sprague, president/CEO; Sheila Mavropoulos, member services liaison; Ray T. Phillips, chairman of the board and Raymond A. Kahre, board member, all of Hanscom FCU. From left to right in the front row are John A. Delcore, vice chairman of the board; Hugh W. McNeil, board member; Laura Galeski, social responsibility manager and Paul Marotta, chairman emeritus, also all of Hanscom FCU.

The $2.6 billion Ascend Federal Credit Union in Tullahoma, Tenn., donated $10,000 to the Tennessee Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society toward LLS’s Children’s Initiative, a global program supporting critical childhood care and cancer research. The contribution, the first by a company in Tennessee for the Children’s Initiative, will help fund innovative clinical and scientific research and specialized patient and caregiver support, as well as support efforts to improve public policy to accelerate the development of new cancer treatments. From left to right are Ascend Chief Strategy Officer Leslie Copeland, LLS Tennessee Chapter Executive Director Jeff Parsley, Ascend President/CEO Caren Gabriel, Ascend Marketing Specialist Leah Bowen and Ascend Assistant Vice President of Business Development Erin Spence.

John Howard (third from right), president/CEO at the $1 billion Merrimack Valley Credit Union in Lawrence, Mass., presents a check to staff from the Lawrence Public Library. From left to right are Charles Allen, library assistant; Jacqueline De La Cruz, children’s coordinator; Jessica Vilas Novas, director; Cassandra Abou-Farah, assistant director; and Jay Dowd, library trustee. The credit union pledged $50,000 to support the Lawrence Public Library to develop a comprehensive literacy program for all ages. With these funds, the Lawrence Public Library plans to hire a part-time Literacy Coordinator to build on its existing literacy programs and develop specific classes that meet the community’s needs from elementary school through adult education.

Event attendees fill 1,500 backpacks with food for children in need and make 200 teddy bears for children whose parents are deployed overseas. Fiserv, Inc., a global provider of financial services technology solutions, helped two children’s charities and the National Credit Union Foundation bring a spirit of service and giving to the 2020 CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference. The Give Back activity at GAC was inspired by Fiserv Gives Back, Fiserv’s global corporate social responsibility program. The program supports the local communities where Fiserv associates live and work, with a focus on making an impact in areas of financial health, education, environmental stewardship, and health and wellness.

Employees at the $458 million INOVA Federal Credit Union in Elkhart, Ind., present a check for more than $4,100 to the American Cancer Society. The funds were a culmination of INOVA’s participation in its Making Strides fundraiser, which included a trivia night, casual day donations from staff and member donations.

Ben Wiseman (center), SVP of member service – Mountain West region for the $9.8 billion Security Service Federal Credit Union in San Antonio, Texas, presents (from left to right) Pita Hopoate, houseparent for Alpine House; Robert Johns, executive director for Alpine House; Lo An Le, board president for Alpine House; and Bailee Christiansen, donor relations specialist for United Way, with a check for $2,500.

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