American Heritage CU CEO to Deliver Ambulances & Medical Equipment to Ukraine
The emergency vehicles and supplies are purchased after raising $400,000.
Shortly after the invasion by Russian forces into Ukraine earlier this year, the Philadelphia-based American Heritage Credit Union’s president/CEO, Bruce Foulke, visited with leaders from Ukraine and Poland in Eastern Europe. Foulke, along with retired WOCCU President/CEO Brian Branch, delivered first aid supplies for Ukrainian refugees during the humanitarian visit to Poland in March.
Seven months later and after raising $400,000, Foulke and Branch will return to Eastern Europe next week to deliver five ambulances and medical equipment for Ukrainian children’s hospitals.
In a statement from American Heritage ($4 billion in assets, 264,119 members), Foulke and Branch will perform the humanitarian trip during the week of Oct. 24. During the trip, the two will also provide advisory support to the Polish credit union relief and assistance program for Ukraine.
Foulke said, “Dr. Branch and I met with government officials and Polish and Ukrainian government officials and with Polish credit union leaders to understand how and whom we could help. Among the numerous requests was the need for ambulances to move wounded and sick refugees out of the war area and to Polish hospitals.
According to information from American Heritage, “the ambulances are being used to evacuate ill and injured citizens from Ukraine and to transport them from Ukraine to Polish hospitals and medical facilities so they can receive safe and urgent medical attention.”
Foulke continued, “I am grateful for the members of the credit union movement who have stepped up to support this cause, and we are humbled to have this opportunity to help save the lives of children, pregnant mothers and military personnel. With our efforts, we anticipate that we will be able to deliver a total of at least 10 medical transportation vehicles to the Ukrainian people.”