Press
CUAid update: At least $100k+ needed for CU Members affected by Colorado flooding
Request for Aid Currently Greater than Funds Collected by NCUF
MADISON, WI (October 7, 2013) — Since activating its online disaster relief system CUAid.coop two weeks ago, the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) and Mountain West Credit Union Foundation have already received over $200,000 in grant requests from credit union people in Colorado affected by recent flooding. However, there is still a large need for financial assistance as NCUF currently only has approximately forty percent of the funds needed to meet those requests.
The flooding that occurred in Colorado last month has been devastating for thousands of Colorado residents. Almost 2,000 homes were destroyed and another 16,000 homes were damaged. Almost 1,000 businesses were hard hit as well. It has now been several weeks since the deluge, and highways are starting to reopen, even if on a reduced volume basis. Furthermore, the debris caused by the flooding is being removed from neighborhoods and business districts, thus allowing some people to begin rebuilding their lives, personally and professionally.
“There are numerous folks who are still waiting for the infrastructure necessary to their lives to be rebuilt adequately, allowing them to return to their properties,” said Dan Santangelo, Executive Director of the Mountain West Credit Union Foundation. “Many people who need help are credit union members. Since our philosophy in credit unions has always been summed up by the phrase ‘people helping people,’ I’m respectfully, but urgently, asking you to help credit union members in Colorado as they try to move forward from this disaster.”
Click here to make a donation
Because of the recent floods in Colorado, Michelle, a 35-year member of Elevations Credit Union in Boulder, lost her home for a second time. The first time was due to a short sale that she suffered when her income as a realtor decreased by seventy-five percent, due to the recession. The September flooding hit her 650 square foot condominium in Boulder with a four foot wall of water, destroying walls, doors and windows, along with all of her uninsured appliances, furnishings and personal belongings. Michelle has been denied any help from FEMA and she is currently living in a motor home on a friend’s property. She expects to remain there for the next six to eight months, while her condo is being rebuilt.
“We are hearing hundreds of stories similar to Michelle’s and would like to help them with a CUAid grant,” noted Santangelo. “Please consider helping Colorado credit union members by making a donation to CUAid.”
Credit union supporters in every state can make donations at www.cuaid.coop. CUAid is the only program of its kind that enables credit union employees, volunteers, and members, as well as credit unions and credit union organizations across the U.S., to contribute directly to support other credit union people.
As donations are posted through CUAid.coop, NCUF is coordinating with the Mountain West Credit Union Foundation in the disaster area to distribute money efficiently to affected credit union employees and members. 100% of the donations through CUAid goes to credit union disaster relief. In the event that all donations are not used for Colorado Flooding relief, NCUF will transfer any and all unused funds to its “General Disaster Relief fund” for future disaster relief efforts.
Organizations and individuals can use a variety of CUAid web buttons for their website. Please click here for the easily linkable buttons, including ones specific to the current Colorado Flooding campaign. Click here for a direct link to the donation form.
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, working to help consumers achieve financial freedom through credit unions. 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 Corporate 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 financial freedom achievable through credit unions.
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.