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The Bethpage Disaster Relief Fund Raises More than $100,000 for United Way of Long Island to Date
Farmingdale-Based Specialty Running Store, Runner’s Edge, Contributes $28,560 Through Sales and Fundraising Efforts
Bethpage, NY – December 18, 2012 – The Bethpage Disaster Relief Fund, formed this past November to aid victims of Hurricane Sandy, has raised over $104,000 to date for the United Way of Long Island to support communities in need. The money raised is comprised of Bethpage member donations and donations from local businesses, which were matched by Bethpage.
“With the help of several generous Long Island businesses and Bethpage members, we were able to help make a substantial donation to the United Way of Long Island to help our friends and families get back on their feet,” said Kirk Kordelski, President & CEO, Bethpage Federal Credit Union. “Bethpage’s emergency loans and lines of credit are also helping to make a difference as members get their lives back on track.”
“We thank Bethpage Federal Credit Union for their continued support by raising much-needed funds that allow us to support Long Island communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy,” said Theresa Regnate, President & CEO, United Way of Long Island. “For some, the effects of this storm are long forgotten, but there are many families still displaced and in need of assistance, and every dollar donated will make a difference.”
Runner’s Edge, the Farmingdale-based specialty running store, helped contribute to the donation, having raised $28,560 for the cause. Beyond donating a portion of sales, Runner’s Edge organized various fundraising efforts including the “Help the Victims Fun Run” event in Farmingdale, planned with the Greater Long Island Running Club, which drew in 300 runners and helped raise approximately $9,000; as well as a Raleigh, North Carolina marathon, organized by Jim Micheels, owner of retail store Running Outfitters, that raised $10,000. Many also donated the money reserved towards bus transportation to the New York City Marathon that was cancelled following the storm.
“Long Island is our home, and home to many of our customers. We are happy to do whatever we can to support our neighbors during this difficult time,” said Bob Cook, owner of Runner’s Edge. “We are thrilled to have contributed the money to Bethpage’s Disaster Relief Fund, where Bethpage matched our donation.”
Immediately following Hurricane Sandy, Bethpage jumped into action to help support Long Islanders who were severely affected. In addition to this fund, Bethpage made a $25,000 donation to the American Red Cross, and made available special emergency loans and lines of credit to help new and existing Bethpage members rebuild and repair. Loans available include storm emergency home equity loans, cash advance loans, auto loans, and a special home equity loan for properties located in a current federally declared disaster area. For more information, go to https://www.bethpagefcu.com/more/hurricane-relief-loans.
Bethpage has been a long time supporter of the United Way and recently contributed $100,000 to the Military Family Assistance Project as part of Operation LIVE United, and secured an anchor role in its newly created Veterans Hiring Program, a job placement program to secure employment for returning Long Island Veterans. Over the past three years, Bethpage has also raised over $75,000 through the sale of in T-shirts to support Military families returning to Long Island.
Bethpage Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, existing solely to serve its members and has experienced rapid growth in recent years to become a strong alternative to banks. Bethpage was approved for the largest federal community charter in the U.S. in 2003 and now is Long Island’s largest credit union and leading community financial institution with over 205,000 members, 26 branches and 60 shared service center locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. As a financial cooperative, Bethpage offers better rates, lower fees and a full menu of personal and commercial financial services.
Bethpage maintains branch locations in Bay Shore, Bay Shore King Kullen, Bethpage, Central Islip, Commack King Kullen, Elmont, Farmingdale, Freeport, Glen Cove, Hempstead, Huntington, Levittown King Kullen, Lynbrook, Massapequa, Melville, Mineola, North Babylon, Patchogue, Port Jefferson, Riverhead, Seaford, Smithtown, Roosevelt, West Babylon and Westbury with over 425 surcharge-free ATMs in King Kullen, CVS Pharmacy and Costco locations throughout Long Island. For more information, call 1-800-628-7070 or visit http://www.bethpagefcu.com/.