CU Aid gives $123,300 to those affected by Calif. wildfires

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. (6/2/08)--About $123,300 in grants have been distributed to help credit union members affected by wildfires that hit Southern California last fall, the California Credit Union League said Friday.

CU Aid is a centralized disaster relief fund-raising mechanism activated by the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) and the league during the fires.

The grants were distributed throughout the San Diego area--which was one of the areas hid hardest by the fires.

The grants--ranging from $500 to $10,00--were distributed to members of:
Financial 21 Community CU, San Diego;
First Future CU, San Diego;
Great American CU, San Diego;
Ketema FCU, El Cajon;
Mission FCU, San Diego;
San Diego County CU;
San Diego Metropolitan CU; and
USE CU, San Diego.

Some of the checks were presented by NCUF Immediate Past Chairman Mary Cunningham, CEO, USA FCU, San Diego.

"CU Aid grant recipients are realizing they are part of a larger credit union community," Cunningham said. "They will be loyal credit union members for life."

Most of the recipients lost their homes, and said they are planning to use the money to rebuild.
Most of the available funds raised for wildfires victims have now been distributed; some were recently reallocated--with the support of contributor--to help those impacted by the tornadoes that hit Alabama in February. This allowed the NCUF to make 17 more grants totaling over $87,000 for credit union employees and members who lost their homes.

The CU Aid donation form has been restructured to ensure that relief money can be channeled efficiently to any major disaster area that impacts credit unions. Supporters can donate via www.cuaid.coop/california in California or www.cuaid.coop/nevada in Nevada.

All donations are directed to the National Credit Union Foundation Disaster Relief Fund, which dedicates every dollar to grants. For donors outside of California and Nevada, use the link.

courtesy of cuna.org