On December 20th and 21st of 2020, Central Credit Union of Florida delivered numerous donations to several local charities after wrapping up their “Giving Trees” event held throughout the month of December at all five of their branch locations. In each branch lobby, a Christmas tree was decorated with tags detailing items and gifts needed by selected charities. Members of the credit union stopping by for their banking needs, could choose a tag, purchase the item from their tag and donate it to Central Credit Union of Florida to be delivered right before the Christmas holiday.
Each Central Credit Union of Florida branch designated the charity that they would be partnering with. The Spring Street branch chose The HER Foundation of Northwest Florida who provides services to homeless female veterans. The Cordova location chose the Pensacola Humane Society to help care for stray cats and dogs. The W Street branch supported Animal Allies of Florida to also help cats and kittens in need of homes. The Nine Mile Road location picked the Ronald McDonald Hose Charities of Northwest Florida to help serve the family members of children being treated in local hospitals. In Panama City, the CCUFL branch selected the Salvation Army Domestic Violence Program of Panama City to aid those in need of emergency safe houses.
Many charity fundraisers were cancelled this year due to the restrictions on public gatherings and so Central Credit Union of Florida knew it would be more difficult for local charities to get the support they need during the holiday season. Barbara MacNeil, Community Liaison for Central Credit Union of Florida, stated, “This is the first time that we had the ‘Giving Trees’ at our locations. We wanted to offer our members a way to help without asking for monetary donations and this was the perfect way as each organization had specific needs for their wish. It was very inspiring to see people wanting to help people they have never met before. This is the best representation of our mission: people helping people.”
Among the items requested and received were household items such as cleaning supplies, paper towels and hand sanitizer. The HER Foundation, Ronald McDonald House and Salvation Army Domestic Violence program received gift cards, toiletry sets, toys and other personal items that go to their clients directly. Central Credit Union of Florida also made financial donations to some of the institutions to help with their missions and services.
Anyone living, working, or attending school in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Bay, Walton, Washington, and Duval counties in Florida can become a member of Central Credit Union of Florida and participate in their many charitable events throughout the year as well as receive the benefits of their financial services.
To learn more about Central Credit Union of Florida, you can follow their Facebook page, visit their website https://www.ccufl.org/ or call their local headquarters at (850) 474-0970 or (800) 375-2235.
Animal Allies Sharyn Berg Christina Powers 12.22.2020
Pensacola Humane Society Donation
The HER Foundation