Press
$15,000 Raised in 2 Days for CUs Hit by Tornadoes
Contact:
Christopher Morris
608-556-1332 | cmorris@ncuf.coop
Madison, Wis. –Since activating its online disaster relief system CUAid.coopon Saturday, the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) has already collected $15,000 from the credit union community. TheCUAid campaign is to assist credit union people affected by recent tornadoes in the Southern part of the country, which hit Alabama the hardest.
“Visiting the affected areas and talking to credit union officials and members really drives home the human toll an event like last Wednesday’s tornados have on our communities,” said Patrick La Pine, President/CEO of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates (LSCU). “I am heartened by the response of our credit union community and the human spirit in responding to this tragedy which will have a lasting impact on the region for years to come.”
Report from Alabama CUs
LSCU recently reported on the extent of the damage by last week’s tornadoes, noting the worst hit were in Tuscaloosa, Ala. A few credit unions such as DCH CU were operating on generator power and leveraging shared branching so members can access their money. DCH CU also set up a mobile branch in a cafeteria of a hospital allowing members emergency loans of $500.
The league noted that two DCH employees lost everything they had in the tornado and the Southeastern Credit Union Foundation is working to assess their needs. Other credit unions in the area are continuing to hear difficult stories from their members and many have lost loved ones.
CU Community Making an Impact
“Thank you to the individuals and organizations such as the Ohio CU Foundation,Credit Union Association of the Dakotas, WOCCU, St. Agnes Employees FCU, and Premier FCU who have made donations to CUAid,” said Tom Candell, NCUF Deputy Executive Director, COO/CFO. “Everyone who supports CUAid is helping affected credit union people directly with critical needs, longer-term recovery needs, operational needs, and assisting credit union members.”
Credit union supporters in every state can make donations through a secured website that accepts credit cards and wire transfers (www.cuaid.coop). As donations post through CUAid.coop, NCUF will coordinate with the credit union leagues across the southern part of the country to distribute money efficiently to credit union employees and members in the affected areas
Organizations and individuals can use a variety of CUAid web buttons for their website. Please click here for the easily linkable buttons. Click here for a direct link to the donation form.
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About CUAid (cuaid.coop):
CUAid was developed by NCUF in cooperation with state credit union foundations, state credit union leagues, and the Credit Union National Association’s Disaster Preparedness Committee in 2006.
The secure online tool links the entire credit union system to raise money for disaster relief, most recently after the earthquakes in Haiti early last year.CUAid is the only program of its kind that enables credit union employees, volunteers, and members, as well as credit unions and state credit union foundations across the US, to contribute directly to support other credit union people.
About the National Credit Union Foundation (ncuf.coop):
The National Credit Union Foundation is the US credit union movement’s primary national philanthropic program provider, fundraiser and grant-maker. Through NCUF grants and programs, credit unions provide widespread financial education, create greater access to affordable financial services, and empower more consumers to save, build assets, and own homes.
NCUF is funded primarily by investments in the award-winning Community Investment Fund (CIF) and by generous Supporters led by the Credit Union National Association and CUNA Mutual. All NCUF donors provide support that empowers NCUF and state credit union foundations to make a real impact in the credit union community.
The National Credit Union Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization. NCUF continues to earn the Better Business Bureau seal of approval as an “Accredited Charity” for meeting all 20 BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standards for national charities.