Contact:
Christopher Morris
608-231-4374 | cmorris@ncuf.coop
Madison, Wis. – The National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) has activated the online disaster relief system CUAid.coop to raise money for credit union people along the East Coast affected by Hurricane Irene.
"New Jersey has been crippled by Hurricane Irene,” said Paul Gentile, President/CEO of the New Jersey Credit Union League in Hightstown, N.J. "Rivers in New Jersey have crested and washed out highly populated towns. Thousands of people are displaced and struggling just to get their bare necessities. I am thrilled CUAid is being activated. Joining together cooperatively to help those in need is the heart and soul of the credit union movement.”
Credit union supporters in every state can now make donations through a secured website that accepts credit cards and wire transfers (www.cuaid.coop). CUAid is the only program of its kind that enables credit union employees, volunteers, and members, as well as credit unions and credit union organizations across the U.S., to contribute directly to support other credit union people.
“We encourage credit union leaders all across the country to use CUAid.coop as a channel to collect donations from their employees, volunteers, and members,” said NCUF Executive Director Bucky Sebastian. “Everyone who supports CUAid is helping affected credit union people directly with critical needs, longer-term recovery needs, operational needs, and assisting credit union members.”
As donations are posted through CUAid.coop, NCUF will coordinate with the credit union leagues in the disaster area to distribute money efficiently to affected credit union employees and members.
CUAid was developed by NCUF in cooperation with state credit union foundations, state credit union leagues, and the Credit Union National Association’s Disaster Preparedness Committee in 2006. In 2011, NCUF has raised over $250,000 in disaster relief donations that were disbursed as grants to credit union employees and members who suffered losses from tornadoes in Alabama and Missouri, as well as from flooding in North Dakota.
“We are fortunate that we have an established program like CUAid through the National CU Foundation,” added Gentile. “I urge all credit unions to support this fund so we can continue to help in this and future events."
Organizations and individuals can use a variety of CUAid web buttons for their website. Please click here for the easily linkable buttons. Click here for a direct link to the donation form.
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About the National Credit Union Foundation (ncuf.coop):
The National Credit Union Foundation is the US credit union movement’s primary national philanthropic program provider, fundraiser and grant-maker. Through NCUF grants and programs, credit unions provide widespread financial education, create greater access to affordable financial services, and empower more consumers to save, build assets, and own homes.
NCUF is funded primarily by investments in the award-winning Community Investment Fund (CIF) and by generous Supporters led by the Credit Union National Association and CUNA Mutual. All NCUF donors provide support that empowers NCUF and state credit union foundations to make a real impact in the credit union community.
The National Credit Union Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization. NCUF continues to earn the Better Business Bureau seal of approval as an “Accredited Charity” for meeting all 20 BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standards for national charities.