PORTLAND, OR (January 15, 2018) — Providence Federal Credit Union (Providence FCU) today announced a $50,000 contribution to Providence Health & Services’ Helping Hands Fund, an emergency fund designed to support caregivers facing urgent financial hardship. The donation reflects the credit union’s ongoing commitment to match dollar-for-dollar individual donations up to $50,000 to provide ongoing support to Providence Health & Services employees, families and retirees.
“Everyone faces financial setbacks and, at times, those setbacks can be devastating. We want to ensure the very people who provide emergency medical care to our community also have somewhere to turn for emergency financial support,” said Providence FCU President & CEO Shirley Cate. “Working with the Providence Helping Hands Fund is a perfect opportunity for our credit union and our members to step up to help our neighbors in need. It is truly a community effort to support our whole community.”
Providence FCU increased opportunities for contributing by donating $10 on behalf of every new member brought in through business development activities in the month of October. This, along with matching individual donations, drives the ability to meet the annual goal, which was established in 2016 when the credit union pledged to meet $50,000 each year toward the Helping Hands Fund.
The Providence Helping Hands Fund offers a confidential resource to help eligible Providence caregivers who have a significant financial burden paying for rent, utilities, medical bills, food for their families, or to help with other urgent needs such as escaping domestic abuse. With the help of Providence FCU, the Helping Hands Fund exceeded this year’s fundraising goals and raised more than $162,000. These dollars are crucial as shown in 2017 where the fund served 224 caregivers, many of whom needed financial help navigating the high medical costs and lost wages from missing work due to a serious illness or injury.
“Providence FCU’s ongoing commitment to support our Providence caregivers through the Helping Hands Fund is incredible and shows a true sense of community,” said Tam Everard, Development Coordinator for Providence Portland Medical Foundation. “It’s never easy to ask for help but, knowing we have the ability and resources to help caregivers in need, I hope we can provide support to life’s emergencies when and where they pop up.”
Providence Federal Credit Union was founded in 1962 with over $140 million in assets and serves over 16,100 members. The credit union serves Providence employees, retirees and family members in Oregon, Washington, California, Montana, Texas, Nevada and Alaska. To learn more about Providence Federal Credit Union, visit www.providencecu.org.
Media Contact:
Brett Wooden
Chief Operations Officer
503.513.8754 | bwooden@providencecu.org
