SAN DIEGO — Thanks to the new online network activated last August by the National Credit Union Foundation for disaster relief, CU donations and pledges have now soared past $144,000 to help CU members who suffered losses in the California wildfires during October, NCUF officials reported today.

“Today NCUF received a $1,500 donation from the Florida Credit Union Foundation as well as several more donations and so we're hoping that by Thanksgiving, we hope the CUAid relief effort for the California wildfires will reach $150,000,” forecast Steve Bosack, deputy director of NCUF in Washington.

So far contributions and pledges have come from 27 states to help CU employees, volunteers and members who lost property in the California fires. Funds are routed through CUAid, which was started as a vehicle to provide a centralized location for donations to ensure contributions go directly to help impacted CUs.

Joining in the activation last October was the California Credit Union League, which has helped coordinate funds to the needy. One CU, First Future of San Diego, said at least 23 of its members lost their homes with that number expected to increase as staffers continued matching their list of members to the government's list of lost homes.

Nationally, NCUF said 50 of the California contributions have been individual gifts made online through CUAid.coop with 49 as organizational donations. Some donations have been handled via wire transfer or check as well as online.

Instant Insights /

NCUF Fire Relief Effort Tops $144,000

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