Credit Union of Southern California (CU SoCal)—deciding to help build better lives for those in the communities it serves—recently donated $200,000 to 15 local charities.
The Anaheim Hills, CA-based credit union donated the money to non-profit organizations, including CAPC, Inc., Whittier Host Lions Club for its Sight for Kids Event, Soroptimist International of Whittier, Murphy Ranch Little League for field maintenance, Women’s & Children’s Crisis Shelter in Whittier, and Boys & Girls Club Whittier.
Because six of the 15 non-profit organizations that received donations are in Whittier, CA, the credit union hosted a photo event with the Mayor of Whittier, Joe Vinatieri, at its Greenleaf Branch on Oct. 9. CU SoCal CEO Dave Gunderson presented a check representing the $90,000 in combined donations to the charitable organizations in the city.
“We made a decision to focus on the Whittier community as that is where the credit union started in 1954 and where CU SoCal has a large percentage of members,” said Chief Communications & Experience Officer Michelle Hunter.
Donations ranged from $5,000 to $50,000. The credit union also donated to: YWCA of North Orange County, Fullerton, CA; Children’s Hospital Orange County; Tara’s Chance, Fullerton, CA; HIS House, Placentia, CA; St. Joseph Foundation, Orange, CA; Together We Rise, Brea, CA; El Monte Meals on Wheels, El Monte, CA; DPW Holiday Care Fund, Alhambra, CA; and Boys & Girls Club Garden Grove.
Among those helped by the donations was CAPC, Inc. “We are grateful to have been chosen to receive such a sizable donation to expand the services for our seniors with developmental disabilities,” said CAPC, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Carolyn Ann Reggio. “The credit union prides itself on service, and they do so with such passion and dedication. It is an honor, to say I am a CU SoCal member, who believes in its mission and commitment to improving the lives of others one person at a time. Because of this incredible gift of money CAPC will be able to pay it forward by enriching the lives of those we serve in our community.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Whittier was another benefactor of donations from the credit union. The organization has been serving the Whittier community for more than 50 years, providing after-school and summer programming for nearly 3,000 youth ages 6 - 18.
“We are proud to partner with the credit union to strengthen local families and open doors to great futures for the youth of our community,” Executive Director Oscar Hernandez said.
The credit union first asked each CU SoCal team member to submit the name(s) or non-profit organizations he or she wanted to have considered to receive a special donation and then created a committee consisting of four board members and three senior team members including the CEO. The committee reviewed the submissions and selected the organizations based on various factors, including how the donated funds would be used.
Credit Union of Southern California CEO Dave Gunderson (seventh from the left) presents check to St. Joseph’s Foundation in Orange, CA.
Because six of the 15 non-profit organizations that received donations from the Credit Union of Southern California are in Whittier, CA, the credit union hosted a photo event with the Mayor of Whittier Joe Vinatieri at its Greenleaf Branch on Oct. 9. CU SoCal CEO Dave Gunderson presented a check representing the $90,000 in combined donations to charitable organizations in the city.
One of the organizations Credit Union of Southern California donated to was Tara’s Chance in Fullerton, CA, a special needs community benefit organization dedicated to promoting the physical, cognitive and social well-being of special needs individuals through equine assisted activities.