NEW ORLEANS — For much of the country, the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's landfall snuck up on them. It has indeed been a year and an extremely difficult one, if not the most difficult in history, for Louisiana credit unions.
But rather than focus on the struggles of the past year, more than 100 credit union volunteers and staff members gathered at the J.W. Marriott Hotel here Aug. 24 to celebrate the progress made since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the state one year ago. Hosted by the Louisiana Credit Union League, the event honored the countless credit unions and credit union organizations that have been instrumental in the recovery and progress made in the state's credit union movement since the storm tragedies of 2005.
"I wanted this to be a positive event–a forum to recognize those who helped Louisiana credit unions in a time of devastation and loss. And I wanted to honor the resilience and determination of Louisiana credit union professionals who, alongside their own personal challenges, have dealt with loss of facilities and loss of key staff," Louisiana Credit Union League President and CEO Anne Cochran told attendees.
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"I am still struck, even today, by the outpouring of support from credit unions and our sister leagues nationwide. Our stories of survival and perseverance seem unreal to many people who have not surveyed the damage that surrounds us a year later, but they gave of their time and resources anyway," said Cochran. "I know the day will come when we will be asked to respond during a time of need at home or beyond our state lines. I assure you that we will act with the same compassion and cooperative spirit that we have received."
LCUL handed out plaques to numerous credit unions that provided, and are still providing in some cases, facilities or assistance to affected Louisiana credit unions. Givers and recipients met at the podium, exchanging handshakes or hugs, and made brief comments to the audience. A few tears were shed. Even LCUL's CEO admitted getting emotional.
"Staying has been as hard for us as starting anew has been for those who have left for other pastures. From the beginning, I've been very stoic, because I'm in a leadership position and I felt like I needed to be strong, but tonight I'm a little weepy," said Cochran, who only in April returned to her Slidell, La. home that has been under repair since the hurricane.
Event special guests included: Susan Newton, executive director, American Association of Credit Union Leagues; Kris Hoffman, manager of donor relations, National Credit Union Foundation; and representatives from several leagues and credit unions across the nation.
Credit unions and related organizations honored at the event included: American Association of Credit Union Leagues, Campus FCU, CP FCU, Credit Union Service Centers, CUNA, Florida CU League, Greater New Orleans FCU, La Capitol FCU, Lafayette Schools' FCU, National Credit Union Foundation, Texas CU League, and Vantage Credit Union. Credit unions and organizations unable to attend were also recognized in remarks by Cochran and individual attendees.
Earlier the same day, guests toured New Orleans, visiting several credit unions in the area to see the damage that still exists. Among them were Claver Federal Credit Union and the New Orleans East branch of New Orleans Fireman's Federal Credit Union, both facilities still vacant today and likely to be demolished. Claver received early assistance from Vantage Credit Union in Missouri and is currently operating out of Barber and Beauticians Credit Union in New Orleans. The remaining branches of New Orleans Fireman's Federal Credit Union are operational today and they have opened a new branch to serve members affected by the closed branch. –[email protected]
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