Tri-County Community Resource Center receives historic $100,000 donation from Suncoast Credit Union
CHIEFLAND, FL (October 30, 2024) — Suncoast Credit Union, the largest credit union in Florida, presented a historic $100,000 donation to the Tri-County Community Resource Center on Monday, marking the largest financial gift in the organization’s history. This contribution is part of Suncoast’s $850,000 statewide relief commitment to support communities most impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, with a specific focus on hunger relief, crisis management, and education.
The donation will serve as a lifeline for families in Levy, Gilchrist, and Dixie counties, enabling the Tri-County Community Resource Center to expand critical services such as food, shelter, counseling, and educational support for families in the aftermath of these devastating storms.
The donation comes at a time when nonprofit organizations face extraordinary obstacles in rural communities, such as limited funding and a lack of resources.
“As Floridians recover from the severe impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Suncoast Credit Union is committed to standing beside our communities in rebuilding lives and restoring hope,” said Kevin Johnson, President and CEO, Suncoast Credit Union. “By partnering with or ganizations like the Tri-County Community Resource Center, we aim to bridge the resource gap for families and strengthen support systems in rural areas that face unique challenges. We are committed to ensuring our communities have the resources to thrive well into the future.”
The donation ceremony was attended by Beverly Goodman, Manager of the Tri-County Com munity Resource Center, alongside local families who have benefited from the center’s re sources, board members, Bobby Schultz, Gilchrist County Sheriff, Christopher Cowart, Superin tendent of Levy County Schools, and Suncoast Credit Union executives. Also in attendance was Ginger Griffeth, CEO of Partnerships for Strong Families, who emphasized the positive impact this historic support will bring to the region.
“As a full-service social services provider in Dixie, Levy, and Gilchrist counties for 9 years, we serve as a critical lifeline for families impacted by Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton,” said Beverly Goodman, Manager, Tri-County Community Resource Center. “Suncoast’s generous
support of $100,000 will help us provide emergency housing, food, and essential bill pay as sistance, as well as meet unique needs like replacing medical equipment. This funding ensures we can continue to respond quickly and effectively to our community’s most urgent needs.”
The Tri-County Community Resource Center, located at 15 N. Main Street in Chiefland, has long served as a pivotal resource in the region. With this transformative support from Suncoast Credit Union, the center is now better positioned than ever to uplift the lives of those in need, providing immediate relief and establishing a stronger foundation for the future.
In addition to supporting the Tri-County Community Resource Center, Suncoast Credit Union’s $850,000 relief commitment extends to 12 other essential organizations, including the American Red Cross, United Way Suncoast, Feeding Tampa Bay, and nine local education foundations, to bolster hurricane recovery efforts across Florida.
Bob Hyde (VP of Community Impact, Suncoast Credit Union), Beverly Goodman (Manager, Tri County Community Resource Center), Ginger Griffeth (CEO, Partnerships for Strong Families), Stacy Meritt (Director of Resource Centers for Partnerships, Strong Families), Angela Gottman
(Patron of Tri-County Community Resource Center), and Rissa Johns (Community Relations Manager, Suncoast Credit Union, Vice Mayor City of Chiefland, and Tri-County Community Re source Center Board Member).
About Suncoast Credit Union
Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state of Florida, the 8th largest in the United States based on membership, and the 10th largest in the United States based on its $18.7 billion in as sets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union currently operates 79 full-service branches and serves more than 1.2 million members across Florida. As a com munity credit union, anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Suncoast Credit Union’s ser vice area is eligible for membership. In 2021, Suncoast Credit Union’s field of membership was expanded to include public K-12 teachers, college educators, and educational support staff from all of Florida’s 67 counties. Suncoast is passionate about community support. Since its founding in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated more than $45 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education, and emotional well-being of children in the communities that the credit union serves. For more information, visit suncoast.com or follow us on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
