CUs Rally to Assist Communities Amid COVID-19 Crisis

To help meet the critical needs within the community resulting from the global COVID-19 pandemic, the $2.2 billion Elevations Credit Union in Boulder, Colo., is matching donations made to the Elevations Foundation’s COVID-19 Relief Fund by March 31, up to a total of $250,000. The Elevations Foundation will maximize the impact of the donations by partnering with local organizations that can deliver funds and support to first responders and their families, and those directly impacted by COVID-19. These donations will go to organizations like local hospital foundations, agencies providing emergency childcare, and organizations that can channel funds to directly impacted individuals and families in the community.

Rep. Vanessa Guerra from Michigan’s House of Representatives 95th District recognizes the $342 million Jolt Credit Union in Saginaw, Mich., for its Monsignor Forbes Scholarship. Pictured from left to right are Jolt Board Members David Beyerlein, Diane Fong and Jerd Clayton; Rep. Guerra; Jolt Vice President of Community Affairs Bridget Staffileno; Jolt President/CEO Alan Watson;and Jolt Board Member,Matt Starke. The credit union has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships since 1982. The scholarship is available to members of the credit union, regardless of age, who are planning to attend or are currently attending a college, university, community college, or a trade or technical school.

From left to right, Onslow Community Outreach Board Chair Don Herring and Executive Director Theo McClammy accept a $40,000 check from SECU Foundation Executive Director Jama Campbell and SECU SVP Charles Morris. SECU Foundation, the charitable arm of the $41.3 billion SECU in Raleigh, N.C., awarded Onslow Community Outreach, a local nonprofit in Jacksonville, N.C., whose mission is to help meet the basic needs of vulnerable populations in Onslow County, with a $40,000 mission development grant. The grant will help the organization develop next steps to deliver a new program of services for veterans in eastern North Carolina.

Jim Minge, president/CEO of the $1.3 billion Texas Trust Credit Union in Arlington, Texas, along with a dozen employees, present toys and a $5,000 check to a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve representative. Texas Trust branches served as collection points for the toy drive. Members and employees donated the toys, which Texas Trust loaded into its 1956 restored school bus and delivered to the Toys for Tots collection center at the Mansfield ISD Performing Arts Center. Since 2011, Texas Trust has supported Toys for Tots, giving $40,000 to date to the organization along with thousands of toys each year.

In response to the unprecedented economic, health and community wellness impacts of the coronavirus outbreak and related shelter-in-place directives, the $5 billion Redwood Credit Union in Santa Rosa, Calif., is distributing grants to more than 45 nonprofit organizations across Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, San Francisco and Sonoma Counties. The grants will serve the most pressing needs of vulnerable populations in one or more of RCU’s core funding priority areas of food and housing security (basic needs); health and financial wellness; and education and workforce development.

As communities across the country face unprecedented challenges in response to the global COVID-19 crisis, the $3.3 billion UW Credit Union in Madison, Wis., is donating $150,000 to support the relief efforts of the United Way of Dane County and the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County. The two United Way chapters coordinated a comprehensive response team with local nonprofits to alleviate suffering and address immediate pandemic needs.

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