The industry's financial relief effort for victims of Northeast flooding picked up steam this week with New Hampshire's largest CU, the $1.8 billion Service CU, presenting a $125,000 check to Gov. John Lynch to assist with devastation caused by Hurricane Irene.

The state's chief executive called the donation Monday from the Portsmouth CU “extraordinarily generous” and said it would go a long way toward helping people impacted by last month's storms.

In a statement, Lynch lauded “everyone at Service Credit Union” and its president/CEO, Gordon Simmons as a “proven leader in helping the people of New Hampshire.”

The accolades came as CU financial aid programs in neighboring – and harder-hit Vermont – continued to expand with a special “50/50 Raffle” organized this month by the Association of Vermont Credit Unions and CUAid, the online disaster aid vehicle of the National Credit Union Foundation.

On its website, the Vermont trade group said $10 ticket purchases are starting to come in from Vermont CUs for the Oct. 15 50/50 raffle in which half of the receipts go to a lucky winner and the remainder to Vermont victims of the Aug. 28 flooding.

AVCU said that although almost three weeks have passed since Irene, then a tropical storm, “wreaked havoc on much of Vermont, recovery efforts continue with disaster funds at the Red Cross, the Vermont Foodbank and innumerable other local outlets performing wonders in supporting urgent an immediate needs like food clothing, shelter and supplies.”

The financial impact, however, “will be felt by many long after the media coverage ends,” said AVCU, urging more CU donations through CUAid.

CUs can purchase the $10 raffle tickets through a PayPal account with the raffle winner determined by the independent accounting firm of A.M. Peisch & Co, the Vermont league said.

“Credit unions, other corporate entities or individuals who want to see 100% of their charitable donation go to Irene's victims may support CU Aid by making a direct contribution,” the AVCU said.

Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association said its foundation has approved directing funds to assist flood victims of Tropical Storm Lee with a $3,000 donation to CUAid from PCUA and Pacul Service Inc.

CUAid itself said in Madison, Wis., it has raised $21,000 nationally for victims of the recent storms.

Instant Insights /

Service CU&rsquo;s $125,000 Irene Donation Marks New Relief Push

Related Stories

Recommended For You

Service CU’s $125,000 Irene Donation Marks New Relief Push