Credit Unions Care Foundation Launches New Fundraiser; Celebrates First Year's Achievements
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 12, 2010
CONTACT:
David Miles
Chief Operating Officer
Credit Unions Care Foundation of Virginia
800.768.3344, ext. 608
dmiles@vacul.org
The Credit Unions Care Foundation of Virginia took center stage May 7 at the Virginia Credit Union League's 76th Annual Meeting, hosting an inaugural gala and 1st anniversary celebration. Since its inception in May 2009, the Foundation has raised more than $100,000 from credit unions, individuals and partner organizations in support of credit unions' charitable, educational and community development initiatives.
The Foundation also launched its Bears That Care fundraiser, asking credit unions to help it sell adorable stuffed teddy bears through their lobbies in order to raise funds for the Foundation's work. Credit unions can also choose to purchase the bears for distribution to their local Children's Miracle Network-affiliated hospital, women's shelters, or child care programs.
"We're off to a fantastic start thanks to the support of our credit unions and so many caring individuals," said Foundation Chairman Gerrianne Burks. "Over the past year, while other financial institutions were strategizing how to maintain their profits, Virginia's credit unions went to work building a charitable foundation that could help meet the needs of our members and our communities."
She noted that only days before the Gala, the Foundation received word that it is now an official 501(c)(3) organization, meaning individuals' donations to the Foundation can qualify as a tax deduction. This is not an issue for credit unions since they are tax-exempt organizations.
During the Gala, the Foundation reported on several accomplishments during the course of the past year, including $5,000 in total donations to 10 food banks all across the Commonwealth and $5,000 in total donations to 10 Salvation Army organizations serving Virginia.
The Foundation also:
- contributed $1,000 to Fort Hood Relief efforts following the November 2009 shootings at the Texas Army base;
- provided a $750 grant to the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, which will be used to support an initiative that helps churches find loans for at-risk members of their congregations, usually through a credit union;
- matched a $500 donation from Martinsville DuPont Credit Union for American Red Cross earthquake relief efforts in Haiti;
- donated more than $11,000 to the Children's Miracle Network-affiliated hospitals serving Virginia;
- provided funding to support Biz Kids, a financial literacy program airing on PBS stations in Virginia and across the nation;
- and will aid the Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation in its work with Children's Miracle Network.
"We're certainly proud of what's been accomplished during the past year," says Foundation Chief Operating Officer David Miles. "We've been able to put credit unions' 'People Helping People' philosophy to work in communities all across Virginia. We'll build on those accomplishments in the coming year and continue to pursue our mission of building a better tomorrow by strengthening the world around us today."
Order Your Bears That Care!
Bulk orders for sell in your branch lobbies are greatly appreciated. Or, place an individual order in any quantity!
To place an order by phone:
Contact Cathy Baldwin
Virginia Credit Union League
800.768.3344, ext. 615
Or, order online here: http://www.creditunionscarefoundation.org/cart/givecc.php
(Credit Unions: We can accept credit card, VACORP debit, check/share draft as payment)
(Individuals: We can accept credit card or check/share draft as payment)