Earlier this month, Pennsylvania’s anytime, anywhere digital credit union, PSECU, asked its employees to participate in a holiday giving campaign to benefit the American Red Cross and the work it does to support those who experience house fires throughout the holiday season. To further bolster employee fundraising efforts, the credit union also pledged a dollar-for-dollar corporate matching donation of up to $10K.
“The work of the American Red Cross, while crucial all year round, is especially important during the holiday season, when unfortunately, house fires are common,” explained PSECU President and CEO George Rudolph. “The Red Cross provides comfort, financial assistance, and most of all, hope, for those who have suffered fire-related losses, and as an organization, we’re proud to join together to raise funds to aid them in their ongoing efforts.”
Throughout the 2019 holiday season, there were more than 115 house fires in Harrisburg, State College, and Indiana, the three main areas where PSECU’s employees work and live. Of the individuals affected, over 40% were children and elderly residents. In total, PSECU’s more than 800 employees donated $2,485 to the cause during the campaign, which ran from December 4-18. While the fundraising challenge was not met, the credit union donated the full $10K match amount, bringing total monies raised to $12,485.
“This holiday season, I extend my deepest gratitude to PSECU’s employees for their support of the American Red Cross,” said Executive Director of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross Laura Burke. “With gifts from generous donors like you, we’re able to turn compassion into action, helping during people’s darkest hours in Pennsylvania, across the nation, and around the world.”
The credit union’s employee holiday giving campaign was part of its “PSECU Chips In” signature giving series, which each year raises much needed funds for local nonprofit organizations. Additional initiatives in the 2020 PSECU Chips In series include the PSECU Chips In Golf Outing, which despite being canceled in 2020 raised more than $40,000, and a member donation drive that raised nearly $70,000, both to benefit the work of Feeding Pennsylvania.
“I’d like to thank all of our employees for their generosity and commitment to the well-being of the communities we serve,” Rudolph added. “It is a true example of the credit union ‘people helping people’ philosophy in action.”
