WASHINGTON — A program which hopes to allow consumers all over the country to donate a penny to the United Way every time they use their debit or credit card has gotten its start with a $27 million credit union headquartered in White Plains, N.Y.

The CU, Westchester Federal Credit Union, was established in 1955 as the White Plains Long Lines Federal Credit Union. In 2005, the credit union was granted a community charter enabling them to service all individuals who live, work, go to school or worship in the greater part of Westchester County, the CU said in an announcement.

Dubbed Pennies For Change, the program will help fund United Way programs in local communities, United Way and credit union executives said at a Dec. 11 press conference.

According to the Nilson Report, Americans make more than 40 billion card purchases each year. Pennies for Change serves as a simple, but revolutionary way for consumers to donate to their local United Way every time they make a purchase, the charity said.

Credit union executives said they first heard about the program in its planning stages from a friend at the United Way of Westchester and Putnam. Knowing they wanted to participate, Westchester Federal Credit Union contacted Covera Card Solutions, their credit card processing partner, to see if it could help put the program into operation. With Covera on board, the credit union became the first financial institution to implement the program.

“Westchester Federal Credit Union thanks Covera for helping us participate in this important initiative from United Way of America,” said Ray Wolff, the credit union's CEO. “We are proud to be the first financial institution to go live with the program, with hope that 'Pennies for Change' will have a positive impact not only in our community, but in communities across the country.”

“We're excited to support Westchester Federal Credit Union and United Way in this worthwhile endeavor,” added Covera's Kimberly McCumber-Ploof. “It fits hand-in-hand with credit unions' 'people helping people' philosophy and we look forward to helping other credit unions take advantage of the 'Pennies for Change' program for their communities.”