The Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions, in partnership with the Illinois Credit Union System (Illinois Credit Union League and ICUL Service Corporation), is putting a call out to the movement to aid our Guatemalan peer credit unions, their employees and members to provide immediate disaster relief support.
Volcan de Fuego, one of the two active volcanoes near the nation’s capital Guatemala City, erupted on June 3, destroying communities and leaving individuals destitute. Nearly two million people have been affected with hundreds more missing. Smoke and ash have rained on the nearby capital, covering a five-mile radius, burying entire villages and displacing families.
“It is through these difficult times that our global community comes together to show its strength and reach beyond borders to help those in need,” said World Council President and CEO Brian Branch, urging credit union leaders to offer their financial support in providing relief to those impacted by Volcan de Fuego.
“We are committed to supporting all credit unions and the safety of their members and staff. Our motto is ‘People Helping People’ and we are now being called to expand that attitude of service on a global scale. It is our duty to unite together in order to aid the disaster relief efforts in Guatemala,” said Tom Kane, President and CEO of the Illinois Credit Union System.
Monetary contributions are being requested to provide supplies to those affected, repair damaged credit union branches and help get credit union members back on their feet in providing financial training and services by supporting the rebuilding process of member businesses or farms.
Guatemala’s credit union system is comprised of 25 credit unions with 266 branches and 1.5 million members nationwide and is coordinated by FENACOAC, the nation’s cooperative network federation.
Click here to donate to Volcan de Fuego Relief Efforts
The Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions is the official gift-receiving and grantmaking arm of World Council. Over the past four years, the Worldwide Foundation has delivered nearly US $1 million in aid to credit union organizations affected by natural disasters in the Philippines, Nepal, Ecuador, Malawi and Colombia.