CHARLESTON, S.C. — Firefighter credit unions from across the U.S., many of whose staff converged here today for memorial services honoring their brethren victims of Tuesday's calamitous warehouse fire, were looking to a newly-activated on-line fund-raising vehicle to bring in donations.

The vehicle, called CU Aid and set up by the National Credit Union Foundation in cooperation with state leagues and foundations, provides a means for CUs across the U.S. to speed contributions to victims of national disasters.

Indeed, CU Aid was debuted at the beginning of last year in time for hurricane relief, but the hurricane season turned mild and as it turned out there was no need for the internet hookup which for the first time has links to individual state league and foundation sites, said Steve Bosack, deputy director of NCUF.

CU Aid had been considered for the Kansas tornadoes earlier this spring, but there was no major damage to CU facilities.

The Charleston disaster has brought firefighter CUs to solicit donations from their staffs with CEOs from many CUs across the South attending the services here.

“We truly appreciate the commitment of the National Credit Union Foundation and supporters throughout the credit union movement to honor our heroes,” said Bill Kennedy, president/CEO of South Carolina Firefighters FCU of Columbia.

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