Credit Unions Spread Holiday Cheer in the Northeast

Volunteers with the $2.4 billion, East Hartford, Conn.-based American Eagle Federal Credit Union recently hand-delivered baskets with holiday treats, gifts and complimentary tickets for American Eagle’s Magic of Lights, a holiday light experience in East Hartford, to patients and care staff at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, Conn., and Yale Children’s Hospital in New Haven, Conn. AEFCU also delivered baskets with complimentary tickets for Bright Nights at Forest Park, a holiday light experience in Springfield, Mass., presented by the City of Springfield and Spirit of Springfield, to staff and families staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Springfield and pediatric patients and care staff at Baystate Children’s Hospital in Springfield. AEFCU sponsored both holiday light experiences, which run through Jan. 1, 2023. Pictured from left to right are Tony Roda, AEFCU Hampden County mortgage loan originator; Becky Larsen, assistant nurse manager of pediatrics at Baystate Children’s Hospital; Allison Coelho of Baystate Children’s Hospital’s Child Life & Healing Arts; and Dara Macchi, SVP, marketing and data analytics of AEFCU.

Employees with the $8 billion Broadview Federal Credit Union in Albany, N.Y. (formerly SEFCU and CAP COM Federal Credit Union), show off gifts collected for the 2022 Holiday Sharing program. The credit union has raised more than $200,000 to purchase and wrap gifts that will be donated to more than 95 nonprofit organizations in New York’s Capital Region, Buffalo, Binghamton and Syracuse, which will then distribute them to more than 6,500 individuals in need. The annual Holiday Sharing Program is funded by Broadview along with donations from employees and members, both in branches and online, that are used to provide people and families with presents and essentials, including warm clothing, cookware, cleaning supplies and toiletries. In addition, Broadview donated over 2,000 winter jackets.

Volunteers with American Heritage Credit Union’s Adopt-A-Family Program showcase “wish list” items for 21 adopted families in the areas American Heritage serves. With support from its board of directors, associates and members, the $4.2 billion, Philadelphia, Pa.-based American Heritage raised over $26,000 to fulfill the families’ wish lists, all of which included toys, books, and necessities such as coats and footwear. Working with organizations including the Norristown Salvation Army, Northeast Family YMCA, CADCOM, Thea Bowman Women’s Shelter in Philadelphia and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Philadelphia, the credit union delivered the items along with a $700 ShopRite gift card for each family on behalf of the American Heritage board of directors to cover grocery costs this holiday season. The program also supports children from Ridge Crest Pediatric Services in Sellersville, Pa., which cares for and provides health services for children with severe to profound intellectual disabilities, by providing essentials such as health care supplies, toiletries and cleaning supplies. This year, American Heritage adopted 29 children from Ridge Crest. Additionally, American Heritage’s business development team partnered with Catholic Community Services to purchase gifts for 24 children who are a part of the agency’s child welfare services. Roughly $3,000 was donated by American Heritage to purchase over 50 presents for the agency.

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