Credit unions and foundations across the country continue torally behind the credit unions, their employees, members andfamilies who have been affected by the tornado disaster that struckthe city of Moore, Okla., earlier this week.

The Ohio Credit Union Foundation has contributed $5,000 to aidtornado victims and the $881 million Meritrust Credit Union inWichita, Kan., is making a $10,000 donation as well as deliveringsupplies for tornado victims.

Additionally, the $2.1 billion Redwood Credit Union in SantaRosa, Calif., is collecting contributions for the American RedCross Relief Fund.

“We know the need by our credit unions friends in Oklahoma isgreat,” said Stan Barnes, chair of the OCUF board of trustees. “Theimages from the scene are heartbreaking. It is the hope of thefoundation that this contribution can help with the recoveryprocess, and assist with the immediate needs of credit unionmembers and staff impacted by this tragedy.”

Meritrust said it is making a corporate donation of $10,000 tothe Oklahoma Credit Union Foundation.

“Standing back and not helping our neighbors who aresuffering in Oklahoma was not an option,” said James Nastars,president/CEO of Meritrust. “It's times like these when we all needto rally together. These donations from our members, staff andboard of directors are coupled with our thoughts and prayers.”

What's more, Meritrust's Wichita-area branches also opened theirdoors as donation sites for supplies including water, baby formula,diapers, wet wipes, non-perishable food, pet food, paper towels,blankets, flashlights and batteries. These donated items will bedelivered today to the Oklahoma City where they will be distributedto those affected by the storm.

Additionally, the Meritrust branches in Lawrence delivered 100cases of water to the Lawrence Board of Realtors, which will bedriving two large trucks filled with supplies to Oklahoma onFriday. The Meritrust branch in Junction City teamed up with localbakery, SweetCakes Cupcake Bakery, by donating diapers, wipes andbaby formula, which the bakery will take down to Oklahoma onSaturday.

Meanwhile, the $2.2 billion RedwoodCredit Union in Santa Rosa, Calif., said it is acceptingcontributions to the American Red Cross Relief Fund to assisttornado victims. All 18 RCU branch locations havebeen designated as collection sites for donations from members andthe community.

“Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this disaster,” saidBrett Martinez, RCU's president/ CEO. “Supporting the American RedCross efforts by accepting contributions at our branch locations isour way of offering assistance and responding to the requests ofmembers who would like to help.”

Pen Air FCU in Florida and Redstone FCU in Alabama also haveannounced fundraising efforts

Also from Oklahoma Tornado:

• Loans to Offer Shelter From the Storms
• Pen Air FCU Starts ReliefCollections
• Redstone Collecting Donations inAlabama
• Manager Tells Tale of Tinker Safe Survival(video)
• Leagues Chip In, Life-Saving Vault StillInaccessible
• CUNA Mutual Contacts 57 CUs
• Branch's Vault Still StandsSentinel
• NCUA Activates Relief Policy
• Weokie Staff Also Retreated toVault
• CUNA Mutual Sending DisasterTeam
• League, NCUF Assessing Impact
• Tinker Staffers Survive in Safe