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Unitus Community Credit Union launches 11th annual holiday drive to benefit community partners
Local residents encouraged to bring in much needed items to any Unitus branch location
PORTLAND, OR (November 18, 2013) — Unitus Community Credit Union, a Portland-based credit union with more than 82,000 members, has launched its 11th annual holiday drive. The drive runs through December 13 and includes a number of opportunities for employees, members and local residents to make the holidays special for children and families in need.
During the month-long drive, Unitus employees embrace the challenge to generate donations and gifts for those served by the credit union’s charitable partners. They divide into teams for a friendly competition to collect as many items as possible from Unitus’ 2013 holiday “wish list,” which includes warm clothes, infant necessities, toys for children and many other items. Employees hand-deliver the collected donations to Unitus’ community partners: Good Neighbor Center, SnowCap, Share, Clackamas Service Center and Helping Hands. Unitus members and local residents can also lend help by donating quality items at one of the credit union’s eight branch locations.
“Our annual holiday drive is one of our favorite activities of the year,” said VP of Planning and Business Development Laurie Kresl. “We partner with outstanding nonprofits committed to making a difference in people’s lives year round, and we love supporting their effort to feed, clothe and give holiday gifts to those they serve.”
Over the next few weeks, Unitus employees will also engage in a variety of creative fundraisers to buy gifts for families who otherwise would have none to enjoy. Employees will assemble the items into decorated shoeboxes and deliver them to Unitus’ community partners to share as gifts during the holidays.
“To see the joy and surprise on the faces of those receiving gifts is a highlight for us,” said Kresl. “There’s no better way to spend the holidays than giving of our time and resources to care for those around us. We hope that each member of the Unitus family is inspired to bring joy to others this holiday season.”
Through December 13, Unitus will also donate $5 per checking or savings account opened to one of its five partnering charities.
About Unitus Community Credit Union
Unitus Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial institution serving people living or working in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Marion, Polk, Yamhill, Benton, Columbia, Deschutes, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Josephine, Linn and Lane counties in Oregon and the state of Washington. Additional information about Unitus is available at www.unitusccu.com or by calling (800) 452-0900.