Wright-Patt Credit Union’s Sunshine Community Fund awards a $180,000 gift to two local non-profits

BEAVERCREEK, OH (July 14, 2016) — Wright-Patt Credit Union’s (WPCU) Sunshine Community Fund presented two $90,000 checks, a total of $180,000, to their most recent Sunshine Community Champions, Crayons to Classrooms and United Rehabilitation Services (URS), on Wednesday, July 13, 2016, after employees spent eight months fundraising. Since 2013, WPCU employees have personally raised over $654,000 to benefit the following organizations: Ronald McDonald House of Dayton, Dayton Children’s Hospital, March of Dimes, Fisher/Nightingale House, Gala of Hope, URS and Crayons to Classrooms.

“WPCU’s Sunshine Community Fund gives our employees the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to our community by raising funds for outstanding organizations that work hard every day, just like we do,” shared Tracy A. Szarzi-Fors, Wright-Patt Credit Union’s Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. “Our number one goal is to make a lasting difference in the communities we serve and allow our employees to drive that success.”

The WPCU Sunshine Community Fund is an employee-driven initiative. Every year, for eight months, staff host numerous events and fundraisers to raise money for the selected Sunshine Community Champion(s), including an annual golf outing that raised a recording breaking $80,000 in 2016 and included area business participation.

“It always amazes me how our team steps up to make sure others are taken care of first, which often means they make a choice to go without,” shared Szarzi-Fors. “For example, one employee gave his five-year anniversary check to the fund to ensure kids would have supplies when school starts.”

The funds raised will be used by Crayons to Classrooms to provide children in need with the basic school supplies that are essential to academic success at no cost to their teachers, families, or schools. URS will use the funds to enhance the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities or other special needs.

WPCU employees selected Crayons to Classrooms and URS after reviewing over 30 applications and participating in onsite interviews and tours. “We are already reviewing applications for our next Sunshine Community Fund Champions,” stated Szarzi-Fors. “We will announce our selection this October during an all-day employee event called Partner Day!” For more information and details about Wright-Patt Credit Union’s community giving and sponsorship initiatives, visit www.WPCU.coop/SunshineCommunityFund.

About Wright-Patt Credit Union

Established in 1932, Wright‐Patt Credit Union is a member‐owned, not‐for‐profit financial cooperative proudly serving Central and Southwest Ohio with more than 432,000 members and over $6.7 billion in assets. As a cooperative, Wright‐Patt Credit Union joins members together, pooling financial resources to meet the needs of all. The pooled resources provide the capital to run a strong and efficient operation. Wright‐Patt Credit Union is headquartered in Beavercreek, Ohio, and has convenient Member Centers throughout Central and Southwest Ohio. Wright‐Patt Credit Union's mission is to help people through life by allowing members to achieve a greater degree of economic independence. Visit Wright‐Patt Credit Union's website at www.wpcu.coop for more information. This credit union is federally insured by NCUA.

About the Sunshine Community Fund

The Sunshine Community Fund’s name was derived from Wright-Patt Credit Union’s “people helping people” philosophy that has been around since the beginning in the 1930s. Back then, times were hard for everyone and those who didn’t work didn’t get paid. Government workers on today’s Wright-Patterson Air Force Base joined together to contribute 25 cents a pay period to help a fellow coworker who was ill and in need of financial support, until he could return to work. Recognizing a good idea, they decided to continue the “Sunshine Fund,” a shoebox located in the nurse’s office, to help one another during tough times. In 1932, the fund evolved and is now known as Wright-Patt Credit Union. Today, WPCU employees raise money to help ensure the success of our community.

About the Sunshine Community Champions

Crayons to Classrooms was established in 2007 by a group of Dayton businesses and nonprofit organizations. Goodwill Easter Seals of the Miami Valley offered Crayons to Classrooms over 12,000 square feet of warehouse, retail, and office space at 1511 Kuntz Road in Dayton for operation. Crayons to Classrooms’ doors opened to teachers from selected schools in January 2009. Crayons to Classrooms’ mission is to collect and distribute school supplies at no cost to teachers of students in need. Crayons to Classrooms’ ultimate goal is to serve teachers and students in 88 Dayton area schools where more than 70% of the students live at or below poverty. Visit Crayons to Classrooms website at www.dc2c.org for more information.

About United Rehabilitation Services (URS)

United Rehabilitation Services (URS) has served the needs of children and adults with disabilities in the Miami Valley for 60 years. Founded in 1956 as the Dayton Chapter of United Cerebral Palsy, URS has grown from humble beginnings with a handful of families to serving nearly 3,000 children, adults and senior annually. Today, the thriving nonprofit agency provides comprehensive programs and specialized therapies to individuals with Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, Sensory Processing Disorders, Alzheimer’s and many other disabilities or special needs. URS is the leading provider of specialized therapy services with onsite physical, occupational and speech therapies and the region’s only pediatric aquatic therapy program and universal exercise unit “spider cage.” Visit United Rehabilitation Services website at www.ursdayton.org for more information.

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