Press
Centra Foundation provides winter clothes and holiday gifts for children
(December 29, 2014) — Centra Foundation, with support from Centra Credit Union members and employees, raised over $28,000 to support Holiday Assistance programs in Centra Credit Union communities. The Holiday Giving Program was created as an alternative means to support The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. Christmas Trees at Centra’s 20 Indiana branches were decorated with Angel Tree Tags representing the needs of a local child.
Rather that purchasing gifts from the traditional Angel Tree, Centra members were able to make a monetary donation to the Holiday Giving Program. Snowflake ornaments and Angel Tree Tags on the tree ranged from $5 – $100. Donations from Centra members ranged from modest gifts of loose change to some very generous donations.
Lyn Morgan, Centra Foundation President, spoke about the program, “We created the Holiday Giving Program to make supporting the Angel Tree program a little more convenient for Centra members and friends. Each year a significant number of families are dependent on holiday assistance programs for winter clothes and holiday gifts. Many people within the community would like to help but don’t have the time or financial resources to purchase items from the traditional Angel Tree. Centra Members really embraced the program! They appreciated the ease of providing a donation and knowing when pooled with those from other members, would provide a memorable Holiday for local children and families.”
Major Stephen Kiger – Corps Officer for The Salvation Army in Southern Indiana shared, “There were more than 4,000 people served through The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program in Southern Indiana this Christmas. Without partners like Centra Foundation and Centra Credit Union, we couldn’t begin to adequately meet all those needs. We thank Centra members for sharing their hearts with others this Christmas through Centra’s Holiday Giving Program.”
Centra Foundation is the charitable arm of Centra Credit Union and was formed to extend the Credit Union’s mission of People Helping People. Centra Foundation is Centered on Caring and aims to involve Centra members and friends in supporting charitable efforts that help meet the needs of communities where Centra members work and live. The Holiday Giving Program highlighted the foundation’s belief that, Together WE Can Make a Difference. Centra members and employees definitely achieved that goal for more than 350 Indiana children and their families.