American Eagle Financial Credit Union announced the local organizations that are the most recent recipients of the Cash Back to the Community Program. This program has run since 2020 and has donated over $435,000 to local organizations in American Eagle’s service area dedicated to making their communities better.
The first organization that the community voted to receive $8,931 in support is Playhouse Theatre Group, Inc. Playhouse Theatre Group, Inc. at Playhouse on Park is devoted to the art of theatre and they strive to be a place for artists, educators and admirers alike to enjoy entertainment and learn through different outreach opportunities.
"A part of Playhouse on Park's mission is to provide quality entertainment at affordable costs to as broad an audience as possible, which means keeping ticket costs as low as we possibly can,” said Tracy Flater, Executive Director and Co-founder of Playhouse Theatre Group. “Because of the generosity of American Eagle Financial Credit Union and the support of our community, the task of making live, professional theatre and theatre-arts educational programming more accessible to Greater Hartford (and beyond) is possible."
Specializing in rescuing and releasing, when possible, birds of prey in Connecticut, A Place Called Hope is making a difference in the lives of injured, orphaned or ill birds in the community.
"This generous donation from the American Eagle Financial Credit Union will directly benefit the many birds at A Place Called Hope, said Christine Cummings, Director at A Place Called Hope. “This funding will be used to purchase the necessary food for predatory birds. This financial contribution will help us to continue to provide the top-quality care our birds deserve. We are so very grateful for this community
support. It came when we needed it most."
The final organization receiving this round of support from Cash Back to the Community is Gentle Love Connections. Based out of Manchester this organization is working to ensure families in the greater Manchester area have access to basic needs or their babies. Working to bridge the gap between government assistance that doesn’t cover child care items Gentle Love Connections is determined to support as many families as possible.
“On behalf of the entire team at Gentle Love Connections, we are thrilled to accept this grant award, said Kyle Zingler, Founder & COO, of Gentle Love Connections. “Since our founding nearly four years ago, we’ve distributed 400,000 diapers to low-income children in Greater Manchester, East of the River.”
“It is an honor to lead an organization so dedicated to supporting all aspects of our community,” said Howard Brady, President & CEO of American Eagle Financial Credit Union. “At American Eagle our Cash Back to the Community Program allows us to impact organizations doing good in our communities from babies to birds and everything in between.”
The nomination period for the next quarterly round of Cash Back is open from April 22nd until May 12th! American Eagle members and the public can nominate worthy nonprofit organizations by visiting americaneagle.org/cashback. During each nominating period, members and nonmembers may nominate a nonprofit or 501(c)(3) organization through American Eagle’s website, social media, or email.
Pictured left to right: Darlene Zoller, Artistic Director and Co-founder, Playhouse Theatre Group, Inc.; and Jim Evans, SVP Chief Information Officer, American Eagle Financial Credit Union
Pictured left to right: Rachel Silva, Board Member Gentle Love Connections; Howard Brady, AEFCU President and CEO; and Jessee Muñiz-Poland, Board Member Gentle Love Connections
Pictured left to right: Todd Secki, Vice President of A Place Called Hope; Howard Brady, American Eagle Financial Credit President & CEO; and Christine Cummings, President of A Place Called Hope