The Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions raised more than US $40,000 during the Supporter’s Reception at the 2018 World Credit Union Conference for the Busia Compassionate Centre in Busia, Kenya.
During the annual Worldwide Foundation Supporter’s Reception at the iconic Gardens by the Bay, Executive Director Mike Reuter asked supporters to make a pledge to reach the US $50,000 needed to build a wall around the orphanage to ensure the long-term security of its staff and more than 90 orphans.
“Cooperatively, credit unions can make a difference in the lives of millions worldwide,” said Worldwide Foundation Chair Bill Cheney. “Raising funds for the wall at the Busia Orphanage is another example of credit unions coming together and changing lives.”
During an engagement visit to the orphanage in March, Worldwide Foundation volunteers planted gardens including bananas and other fruit trees, worked on projects improving the orphanage kitchen and play areas that provide the love and care needed to give the children food security, a safe home and a sense of family and financial inclusion – many for the first time in their lives.
Funding for this secure barrier was kicked off prior to the conference by Numerica Credit Union (Spokane, WA) & Vermont Federal Credit Union (Burlington,VT), raising the initial US $20,000 to spark their peers to contribute during the Supporter’s Reception.
Credit unions and individuals that made this effort possible include:
Institutions
Anonymous
CU Direct – Ontario, Canada
Fairfax County FCU – Fairfax, VA
Financial Partners Credit Union – Downey, CA
Holiday Coast Credit Union, Australia
Jefferson Financial Credit Union – Metairie, LA
KUSCCO LTD – Nairobi, Kenya
Mitchell, Stankovic & Associates – Boulder City, NV
Premier Members Credit Union – Boulder, CO
PSCU – St. Petersburg, FL
Servus Credit Union – Alberta, Canada
Unitus Community Credit Union – Portland, OR (Steve Stapp & Unitus Staff)
Unity Bank – Australia
Individuals
Paul Burkart
Bill & Chrissy Cheney
Bobbie Deegan
Marc & Linda Ecker
Jimmy Flythe
Becky Marchant
Rafal Matusiak
Maurice & Diane Smith
Joe Thomas
Stay connected to the construction of the Busia Orphanage wall by reading updates through the new blog, “Field Notes” on the Worldwide Foundation’s website at www.DoGlobalGood.org.
See Supporter’s Reception and all conference event photos on Facebook and Twitter with #WCUC2018.
To learn about other ways to volunteer, visit the Worldwide Foundation volunteer page here.
Young boy looking over wall to be built