Credit unions and their employees in California, Washington andOregon have been mobilizing in several ways to help victims of thewestern wildfires.

They've already raised tens of thousands of dollars, usedvacation days to rescue animals and worked as volunteerfirefighters to battle more than 100 large blazes across thedrought stricken west.

However, because of the extent of the natural disaster thatcontinues to destroy communities throughout the Western states, theNational Credit Union Foundation is working with the NorthwestCredit Union Foundation to assist with additional fundraisingefforts.

“The fires burning in Oregon and Washington have affectedthousands of lives,” Northwest Credit Union Foundation ExecutiveDirector Denise Gabel said. “Countless families have lost theirhomes. Whether the victims are credit union members or not, we feelit's our duty to help these families rebuild. By pulling togetherwe can truly make a difference for those hurting in ourcommunity.”

About two weeks ago, the $197 million Mendo Lake Credit Union inUkiah, Calif. teamed up with other community organizations to raise$50,000 for fire victims.

One of those victims was Mendo Lake CU member Walter Dries,whose home was destroyed.

After Dries shared photos of the charred remains of his home andother possessions on Mendo Lake CU's Facebook page last week,dozens of members expressed their sympathies and asked what theycould do to help their fellow member.

The fire victim fund raised $15,000 in just one week, and withMendo Lake CU's match of $5,000, the total raised so far is justmore than $20,000, according to the credit union's Facebookpage.

“Our community has really pulled together to help each other andwe are also grateful for the outside help we are receiving,” MendoLake CU Director of Community Outreach Jamey Gill told theCalifornia and Nevada Credit Union Leagues.

Gill also reported her colleague, Jill Scott, a branch supportmanager, took vacation days to help rescue large animals. MendoLake CU also donated food and water to the volunteers at the animalshelter.

The California league also reported that Sara Nielsen, a seniormember service representative for the $1.1 billion Coast CentralCredit Union in Eureka, Calif., was at the fire's frontline insouthern Humboldt County.

She comes from a family of firefighters. As a five-yearvolunteer veteran firefighter, she is a lieutenant and certifiedengineer with the Loleta Volunteer Fire Department in Loleta,Calif., according to the California league.

In addition, Coast Central CU announced that it is matching alldonations up to a total of $2,500 to help with local forest firerelief efforts in Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity counties. Thecredit union also purchased and delivered goods to local volunteergroups that aided fire victims.

“Coast Central feels strongly that community participation inthis relief effort is critical, particularly since this year's fireseason is far from over,” Dean Hart, vice president of marketingand communications for Coast Central CU, said.

The Northwest Credit Union Foundation said it is teaming up withthe National Credit Union Foundation and local Red Crossorganizations to raise relief funds to support victims of the firein Washington and Oregon. It has opened an emergency fund and iscalling for donations to assist victims of the Chelan wildfireburning in central Washington, and the Canyon Creek complex firesthat have destroyed more than 48,000 acres and dozens of buildingsnear John Day, Ore.

The $121 million Old West Federal Credit Union in John Day hasset up a small loan fund for fire victims in the community to covertemporary living needs, insurance deductibles and otherexpenses.

Ken Olson, president/CEO of the Old West FCU, said the loanswill feature delayed payments, a subsidized interest and otherrelaxed underwriting requirements. For members, the credit union isalso offering the option to skip loan payments and otheraccommodations.

The Oregon Canyon Creek complex fires have reportedly destroyedat least 36 homes and damaged 50 other structures including barnsand shops, according to local media reports.

What's more, 84 homes, businesses and other buildings have beendestroyed in Washington's Chelan Complex fires, according to theInciWeb Incident Information System, a governmental interagencyinformation management website that regularly posts updates aboutthe forest fires throughout the western states.

“We encourage the credit union community to donate, to helppeople affected by these devastating wildfires,” ChristopherMorris, director of communications at the National Credit UnionFoundation, said. “There is a critical need for funds in the areaand contributing to help our brothers and sisters through thisdifficult time is a great example of the credit union movement's'people helping people' philosophy.”

Donors will have the option of directing their donation to thosespecific areas if they choose. In addition, there is a general fundestablished to support all wildfire victims in Oregon andWashington.

A web pageto accept donations has been established on the NorthwestCredit Union Foundation's website.