A Baptist church in tornado-ravaged Tuscaloosa, Ala., highlighted in the local media for its work in finding homes for displaced families of the April 27 storm, is getting credit union funds this week thanks to some spadework of Corporate America CU.
The Alabama corporate said contributions from its previously announced $100,000 pledge to benefit tornado victims in Alabama will be directed toward Calvary Baptist Church, singled out for helping 40 families find new homes in the community. Eventually the number could climb to 75 or 100.
“Some of our CEOs and board member Jim Phillips of Alabama Credit Union had suggested Calvary Baptist would be a very deserving recipient of our donations,” said Thomas Bonds, president/CEO. The church is doing its work “without any administrative overhead and we feel confident the funds are going directly where they are needed,” explained Bonds.
Already, a check for $50,000 has been sent to the church “so we can prime the pump,” said Bonds, expecting contributions from CUs in the corporate’s membership.
In recommending the church, Phillips had been joined by Tom Cobb, president/CEO of Tuscaloosa CU for a cause “which clearly demonstrates our commitment to help revive a community so devastated by the tornado and to help those families including members who have lost everything,” said Bonds.
On a personal note, Bonds, who works out of the corporate’s Irondale headquarters near Birmingham, said his own home had room damage “and we lost trees.” The area including Corporate America was without standard power for three days.
