CU Professionals Run, Climb & Donate in Support of Good Causes

Climbers representing the $1.36 billion, Tempe, Ariz.-based TruWest Credit Union show their enthusiasm at the recent Fight for Air Climb at Chase Field in Phoenix. A 15-member TruWest team joined 18 other teams to climb the stadium stairs to raise awareness and funds for the cure of lung disease. The credit union raised $10,000 for the American Lung Association – emerging as the top corporate fundraising team for the event.

American Heritage Credit Union associates show off the more than 600 items donated during the credit union’s Paw Pals Donation Drive. In April, the $3.6 billion, Philadelphia-based American Heritage collected the items, including treats, toys, used blankets and towels, from associates and donated them to three local animal shelters in dire need of supplies: Pennsylvania SPCA in Philadelphia, Lahaska Animal Care Center in New Hope, Pa., and Upper Bucks Animal Care Center in Quakertown, Pa. Also in April, over 40 American Heritage associates, along with their friends and families, participated in the 12th Annual Green Team Spring Clean-Up events. Volunteers cleaned over two miles of PA Route 13 along Frankford Avenue in Philadelphia, as well as a two-mile stretch of Broad Street in Lansdale, Pa.

The annual Credit Union SacTown Run, held virtually this year due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic concerns, raised $200,050 for 11 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals throughout California and Nevada. Instead of running in the downtown Sacramento vicinity, staff and members from credit unions and credit union-related companies throughout the two states ran or walked the equivalent of a 5K on their own from April 10-20. Pictured from left to right at an April 21 check presentation are Sacramento Running Association Executive Director Scott Abbott, CU SacTown Run Chair and Diablo Valley Federal Credit Union CEO John Pamer, UC Davis Children’s Hospital Executive Director of Patient Care Services Judie Boehmer, Children’s Miracle Network Program Director Michelle Tafoya, and UC Davis Children’s Hospital Executive Director of Development Tony Hazarian. Those interested can still make donations to their local CMN Hospital through May 20 here.

During the week of April 19-23, the $753.8 million, Flint, Mich.-based Financial Plus Credit Union held a Hot Wheels drive for Hurley Medical Centers Children’s Hospital in Flint, collecting the little toy cars at its seven branches. Financial Plus also presented the children’s hospital with a $1,000 donation. Pictured from left to right at the check presentation are Rachelle Kippe of Financial Plus, Brooklyn Kennings of the Hurley Foundation, and Nate Adams, Rachel Mouser and Jen Thompson, all with Financial Plus.

SECU Foundation Executive Director Jama Campbell (third from left) assists in ribbon cutting with Family House supporters and leaders, including SECU Family House Executive Director Janice McAdams (center). The ribbon cutting ceremony recently took place at UNC Hospitals’ Chapel Hill, N.C., site to celebrate the opening of the new Pine Wing addition of SECU Family House, which nearly doubled the size of the House from 40 to 78 guest rooms, helping tackle the increased need for affordable accommodations for patients and families receiving life-saving treatment and care at UNC Hospitals. The SECU Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization funded by the contributions of members of the $47.3 billion, Raleigh, N.C.-based State Employees’ Credit Union, announced its support for the expansion in 2017, awarding the Family House a $2 million challenge grant to aid with capital campaign efforts.

The $1.56 billion Texas Trust Credit Union in Arlington partnered with Paul Quinn College (PQC), America’s first Urban Work College, to create a memorial scholarship fund in honor of Miriam Johnson. The scholarship will provide $10,000 annually in scholarships to the college. With its first installment from the fund, 14 PQC students were awarded scholarships of $500 and $2,000 to be used for tuition and fees for the spring 2021 semester. Because of its Work College Model, PQC students have the ability to graduate with less than $10,000 in debt. The scholarship honors the late Johnson, who was the wife of Texas Trust Board Member Joe Johnson. Pictured from left to right are Ron Smith, Michelle Carter-Pope and Jim Minge with Texas Trust; Vice President of Institutional Programs Dr. Kizuwanda Grant and Dean of Men/External Affairs Maurice West with Paul Quinn College; and Ginia Chapline with Texas Trust.

Please send your Community news items to Natasha Chilingerian at nchilingerian@cutimes.com.