Wright-Patt Credit Union announces new Sunshine Community Fund Charter
Credit Union’s goal is to raise $200,000 to support two area organizations
BEAVERCREEK, OH (October 19, 2015) — Wright-Patt Credit Union (WPCU) recently announced the new Sunshine Community Fund Charter, established to formalize its philanthropic support and continued commitment to the betterment of organizations and programs in our region. Through the fund, two nonprofit community organizations – Sunshine Fund Champions – will be identified annually to receive monies raised by WPCU partner-employees, vendors and business partners.
WPCU launched its 2015-2016 Sunshine Community Fund campaign during a recent partner-employee training day. There, the organization announced a goal to raise $200,000 by June 2016 for its chosen Sunshine Fund Champions – Crayons to Classrooms and United Rehabilitation Services.
Crayons to Classrooms provides children in need the basic school supplies that are essential to academic success at no cost to their teachers, families, or schools. United Rehabilitation Services enhances the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities or other special needs. The beneficiaries were chosen by a partner-employee led selection committee who reviewed over 130 applications. The selection committee participated in face-to-face candidate interviews and on-site visits as part of their evaluation.
About the Sunshine Community Fund
WPCU’s Sunshine Community Fund Charter was established to positively impact those who live in the communities WPCU serve, with a specific focus in the following areas: financial education; literacy; the well-being of children/families; and support and recognition of military members, veterans and their families. “WPCU’s Sunshine Community Fund gives our employees hands-on involvement in raising funds, strengthening our community and helping people become more successful,” shared Tracy Fors, Wright-Patt Credit Union’s Vice President, Marketing and Business Development.
“Over the past three years, WPCU employees have raised more than $300,000 to support various area organizations. The Sunshine Community Fund Charter simply formalizes our giving spirit and further exudes the credit union’s mission in helping people through life,” she explained.
The Sunshine Community Fund’s name was derived from the 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.
The 2016-2017 Sunshine Community Fund applications will be available next spring. For more information and details about Wright-Patt Credit Union’s community giving and sponsorship initiatives, visit www.WPCU.coop/SunshineCommunityFund
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.
United Rehabilitation Services (URS) has served the needs of children and adults with disabilities in the Miami Valley for 58 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.
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 almost 500,000 members and $8.1 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. Celebrating its 90th year of helping people, 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.
