Ten organizations will be able to do more to help the communitythanks to $19,000 in grants from Charter Oak Federal CreditUnion.

The Groton, Conn.-based $749 million cooperative said itsCommunity Giving Program has funded 42 grants, totaling $74,100this year alone, and has given more than $575,000 to localcommunity and nonprofit groups since its inception in 2009.

Recent grant recipients include Catholic Charities, Diocese ofNorwich; City of Norwich; The Connecticut Radio Information System;Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Connecticut; Ledyard SocialServices; LifeFAQs.org; Muscular Dystrophy Association; NortheastCommunities Against Substance Abuse; Norwich Human Services; andSafe Futures.

These organizations will use the allocated funds to assistindividuals and families living within Charter Oak's field of membership.

According to the credit union LifeFAQs.org will continue to helpdisadvantaged students in the Greater New London area whileCatholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich, will use the funds toensure that local families remain intact and are able to affordtheir basic needs.

The Connecticut Radio Information System, also known as CRIS,was awarded a grant to expand its radio reading service in Windhamand New London counties. CRIS is the only radio reading service inConnecticut for people with disabilities.

“It was an easy decision to award funds to these organizations.They are doing their best to improve the communities in whichCharter Oak has served for over 73 years,” said Brian Orenstein,Charter Oak's CEO.

Community Giving Grantapplication forms are reviewed on a quarterly basis, according toCharter Oak. The next deadline is Jan.1.