HERNDON, VA (December 12, 2013) -- Responding to last month’s horrific devastation of Typhoon Haiyan, Northwest Federal Credit Union and its Foundation, together with many of its members, raised $10,453 in one week’s time to aid the Philippines.
To show support and demonstrate the power of “people helping people,” Northwest Federal placed donation boxes in each of its six branches, inviting members to make contributions.
Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation, which promotes and manages the Credit Union’s charitable activities, matched the donated funds. Dollars raised were given to Doctors Without Borders to help provide needed medical care to victims.
“We collected donations over a short period of time, and put them to use quickly since Doctors Without Borders was already on the ground in the Philippines,” said Chris McDonald, Northwest Federal Credit Union President/CEO.
Typhoon Haiyan hit the island nation Nov. 7 and was recorded as the strongest typhoon ever to make landfall. Its winds, which measured in excess of 190 miles an hour, destroyed complete cities and towns, causing more than 5,200 deaths and leaving more than 11 million people homeless.
“With such destruction and anguish, we really wanted to make an impact without delay,” said McDonald.
Linda Rogus, Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation Executive Director, agreed. “The pictures of the terrible devastation in the Philippines motivated NWFCU’s Foundation to want to help in some way. Members’ responses were truly heartwarming, and with matching funds, we are making a real, immediate difference working through Doctors Without Borders.”
An international medical humanitarian organization, Doctors Without Borders was founded in 1971. Currently, the organization provides medical aid to more than 60 countries by supplying doctors, nurses and other medical professionals, as well as water and sanitation engineers. Private donors provide about 80 percent of the organization's funding, while governmental and corporate donations provide the rest.
About Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation
The Foundation was established in 2004 to promote and manage Northwest Federal Credit Union’s philanthropic activities including scholarship, financial education and other charitable programs, which reflect the interests of its membership and the communities it serves. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax deductible to the extent permissible by law for those who itemize deductions. For more information, visit www.nwfcufoundation.org.
About Northwest Federal Credit Union
Northwest Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution ranking among the largest credit unions in Virginia and in the top 50 credit unions in the nation. Established in 1947 and headquartered in Herndon, Va., Northwest Federal is dedicated to providing financial services and education to its members and the community. The Credit Union currently serves more than 125,000 members and has assets in excess of $2.5 billion. For more information, visit www.nwfcu.org.