GLENDALE, AZ (January 6, 2015) -- Credit Union West employees embrace the culture of giving through their Jean’s Day Fund. The program gives the staff the option to donate each pay period to the fund and in turn they wear jeans on Fridays. Each year, the employees choose their charities and then vote for four non-profits to receive the collected quarterly donations. In total, over $12,000 was donated in 2014. Here is a round-up of the credit union’s 2014 Jean’s Day Fund non-profit recipients.
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona was the credit union’s first quarter recipient. They grant ‘wish experiences’ for children with life-threatening medical conditions. The credit union’s donation granted Mariah, a 9-year-old Casa Grande resident battling a brain tumor, the dream of having her room made over with the movie “Frozen” theme. Make-A-Wish Foundation’s mission is to ‘grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.’ The international non-profit began in Arizona in 1980. To learn more about Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona visit www.arizona.wish.org.
Wounded Warrior Project received the credit union’s second quarter donation. The foundation began in 2003 when a group of individuals, consisting of veterans and friends, were touched by the stories they were hearing about wounded service members returning home from Afghanistan and Iraq. Their mission is ‘To honor and empower Wounded Warriors’ and provide rehabilitation services to warriors as they recover and transition back to civilian life. To learn more about the Wounded Warrior Project visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Prescott Area Women’s Shelter was the third quarter recipient of the credit union’s charity program. The shelter provides a safe place to stay for homeless women, children and families of Yavapai County. The shelter opened its doors in December 2007 as a winter shelter and served 39 women and 7 children in its first four months. In 2008, the organization moved its facility and became a year-round shelter for homeless and transitioning women and families. In addition to a secure place to stay, they provide affordable housing options, meals, basic essentials and case management services. To learn more about the Prescott Area Women’s Shelter visit www.prescottshelter.org.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital accepted the fourth quarter donation. For more than 50 years, St. Jude’s quest has been to ‘further survival rates for childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases’. They also focus on educating and training future doctors, nurses, researchers and academic leaders. St. Jude never bills a family for their child’s treatment or for travel, housing and food. The daily $2 million operating costs for St. Jude is mainly covered by individual contributions. To learn more about St. Jude’s Research Hospital visit www.stjude.org.
“The employees really amplify the spirit of giving within the organization,” said Scott Grundy, VP and Chief Information Officer at Credit Union West. “We are very proud that our staff shares in the credit union’s philanthropic mission for the betterment of our great community.” Grundy said the staff continuously seeks ways to not only provide members with enhanced member services but to support causes throughout Maricopa and Yavapai counties.
About Credit Union West
Credit Union West was founded in 1951 and is an award-winning financial cooperative. Well positioned for the future, Credit Union West has earned the highest 5-Star rating from BauerFinancial, Inc., the nation’s leading credit union and bank rating and research firm, who has been analyzing and rating financial institutions since 1983. Today it serves over 52,000 members with more than $500 million in assets. The credit union’s core principles have guided its decisions, which in turn has ensured integrity and trusted member service. Membership is open to anyone who lives, works or worships in Maricopa or Yavapai County and family members of current members. Federally insured by the NCUA. www.cuwest.org.