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Educational Community Credit Union and its staff raise more than $2,500 for the Wounded Warrior Project
KALAMAZOO, MI (December 12, 2014) —Educational Community Credit Union (ECCU) and its staff have raised $2,512 for the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). The WWP strives to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid to meet the needs of injured service members. ECCU presented a check for the WWP on December 9, 2014.
ECCU staff quietly began its campaign to support the WWP earlier in the fall, raising approximately $1,000 in September. Staff wanted to do more and continued fundraising for another 30 days. “Our goal for November was to double the amount already raised,” shares Deb Linenger, head of ECCU’s Caring Committee, and coordinator of the WWP fundraising campaign. ECCU also encouraged donations by sponsoring a ‘pay-to-wear-jeans day’ each Friday.
ECCU assists many local and national organizations each year, including the SPCA of SW Michigan, Housing Resources, Inc., local food pantries, and more. 2014 was the first year it has chosen WWP as one of its charities. “We as a company vote on the projects to support each year,” explains Linenger. “I put forward the Wounded Warriors because we’re having soldiers survive serious injuries. The WWP helps soldiers and their families adjust to the many changes in their lives. They enable the soldiers not just to cope, but thrive.”
ECCU is proud of the teamwork and effort exhibited by all staff. “We connected with the WWP because it aligns with our core philosophy – to do the right thing,” adds Linenger. It’s also a charity extremely close to one employee’s heart. Linenger shares the story and letter she received on behalf of the Caring Committee. Here is an excerpt:
“On April 7, 2011 at 6:32pm I received a call…One I will never forget. My son, my baby boy, was involved in a dismounted IED blast. He was very seriously injured and had suffered injuries to all his extremities and his head. That was ALL they could tell me…nothing more nothing less. I was lost and numb; I couldn’t speak, and I didn’t know what to ask. Around 3am, I got a call…Bryant was in Germany, and the nurse there got a phone, dialed my number and was holding the receiver for him so I could hear his voice. He was soon transferred to Bethesda, Maryland, where my upside down world was forever touched by the outpouring support of the Wounded Warrior Project. They made sure that not only our wounded soldiers were taken care of, but they took care of the families as well. I had to leave my job, and they took care of any bills I had. They wanted my main focus to be on my son. They came into his hospital room daily, sometimes they came to sit with him and sometimes they brought things like laptops or movies to keep him entertained. Once a week they provided a huge feast for everyone to enjoy. I was never greeted with a sad face or a look of pity…”
To read the full letter, visit http://blog.eccu1.org.
ECCU encourages everyone to get involved and support the WWP. “There are many ways to help,” continues Linenger. “You can make a donation at www.woundedwarriorproject.org for any amount or even text to give, and there are often community events to show your support.”
Linenger concludes: “I love that we’re supporting veterans who fight for our freedom. Credit unions are all about people helping people, and what better group of people to support?”
With seven convenient locations, ECCU is a full-service financial institution serving anyone who lives or works in a 21-county area in West Michigan. For details on credit union membership, visit www.eccu1.org.
About ECCU
Established in 1935, ECCU has grown from serving only Kalamazoo school employees, to serving the greater educational community, to now providing a full range of financial products and services to anyone who lives, works, worship or attends school in any of our 21 Michigan counties. The credit union exceeds $413 million in assets and serves more than 37,000 members. Visit eccu1.org to learn for yourself why ECCU just feels right, and our members feel right at home.
About Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project is recognizing its 10-year anniversary, reflecting on a decade of service and reaffirming its commitment to serving injured veterans for their lifetime. The mission of WWP is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP currently serves over 59,000 warriors and nearly 8,500 family members through 20 unique programs and services. It also strives to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members. Funds may be used to help injured servicemen and women assist each other, and provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To learn more, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Photo: ECCU presents a check for $2,512 on December 9, 2014, to the Wounded Warrior Project.