Massachusetts Credit Unions’ Support for Kids in Need Reaches $3 Million

For the past 27 years, member credit unions of the Cooperative Credit Union Association (CCUA) in Massachusetts have been raising funds for the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless’ A Bed for Every Child initiative. On Thursday, the CCUA announced that following a June 25 charity golf tournament, Massachusetts credit unions’ support for this cause has surpassed $3 million.

Held at the Sterling National Country Club in Sterling, Mass., the annual Stephen Jones Credit Union Charity Golf Tournament included the presentation of a $100,000 check from the CCUA’s Massachusetts Credit Unions Social Responsibility Committee to the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, putting the state’s credit unions’ contributions to the organization over 27 years past the $3 million mark.

According to CCUA, 114 Massachusetts credit unions have participated in fundraising efforts for the Coalition’s A Bed for Every Child initiative, which aims to provide comfortable, personalized beds and bedding for children who lack ideal sleeping arrangements in their homes due to poverty. Aside from participating in the Stephen Jones Credit Union Charity Golf Tournament, credit unions’ fundraising efforts have included book drives and general appeals for donations; they also took part in bed-building events for the Coalition.

“We are incredibly proud of the longstanding support of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless and the tangible difference our members have made in the lives of so many children through the A Bed for Every Child initiative,” Ron McLean, president/CEO of the CCUA, stated. “This year’s donation represents not just the generosity of our credit unions, but also our unwavering commitment to the communities and members our credit unions serve.”

Charlene Bauer, chief development officer at Metro Credit Union ($3.4 billion, Chelsea, Mass.) and chair of the Massachusetts Credit Unions Social Responsibility Committee, commented, “Seeing the ‘people helping people’ principle of the credit union movement in action through the collaborative efforts of all Massachusetts credit unions reinforces our combined missions. It is heartwarming to witness credit unions from across the state come together, raising funds and building beds to ensure children have a good night’s sleep.”

The CCUA supports credit unions in Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.