American Eagle Financial Credit Union (AEFCU) today announced $5,000 in donations from its donor-advised fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to two Connecticut 501(c)(3) charitable organizations that provide fuel assistance to people in need. The donations were presented at an AEFCU employee appreciation night at the Hartford Yard Goats at Hartford’s Dunkin’ Park.
“We give when and where we can make a difference,” said Howard Brady, President & CEO of American Eagle Financial Credit Union. “Energy prices continue to rise, beyond the ability of too many to keep the pace, and as limited assistance programs run low on funding or are out of reach for too many, we felt it was important to ‘help the helpers’ like Community Renewal Team and Operation Fuel.”
Community Renewal Team
“Every year, increasing numbers of families seek assistance from us in covering the cost of fuel,” stated Community Renewal Team (CRT), the designated community action agency for both Hartford and Middlesex counties, which is celebrating its 60th year. “These include the elderly, newly unemployed and the working poor.
“American Eagle Financial Credit Union’s grant support will assist families who are out of fuel and in a crisis situation needing a fuel delivery immediately while they are awaiting eligibility determination, those who are facing utility service disconnections and those who are just above the income guidelines to qualify for CRT’s federal, state and private energy assistance programs.”
Operation Fuel
“The funding to Operation Fuel will be used to help families seeking assistance with their utilities or oil bills who would otherwise be turned away,” stated Operation Fuel. “We are seeing a greater demand for energy assistance with the rise in energy costs. Families who have never applied to us before are submitting requests for energy assistance.
“Our greatest challenge is that we already receive many more requests for assistance than we can fill. With [this] support, we will be able to assist more families.”
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Photo above left to right: CRT Chief Executive Officer Jeff Walsh, Chief Financial Officer Rosemary Pizarro, AEFCU President & CEO Howard Brady, Roberta Salafia, AEFCU Director of Internal Audit, and CRT Intake Certification Specialist Menen Walker.
Photo above left to right: Operation Fuel Chief Executive Officer Brenda Watson, AEFCU President & CEO Howard Brady, Operation Fuel Communications Specialist Britt’ny Bettis-Allen.