LYNN, Mass. — Massachusetts credit unions, which for nearly twodecades have been at the state's forefront of aiding homeowners andthe homeless with charitable giving, were singled out again Mondayas “unsung corporate heroes” with questions raised anew aboutspreading a positive CU message.

“It's really phenomenal what creditunions in this state have done and I'm not sure why more of thepublic does not know this story,” declared Robyn Frost, executivedirector of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, agrassroots advocacy group counting 700 faith communities.

Frost's laudatory remarks came as the$113 million Brotherhood Credit Union announced it would be handingout $100 a day for 29 days for 29 deserving coalition families toease the financial burden of heating costs.

“To my knowledge, we are the only credit union it the area doingthis,” Adam Sherman, Brotherhood's Community Reinvestment Actofficer, said of this unique twist. Massachusetts state charteredcredit unions are subject to state CRA regulation.

“Brotherhood is hardly alone in doing these phenomenal thingsand the league itself has been exceptionally generous as ourbiggest contributor,” said Frost, referring to the MassachusettsCredit Union League, which disclosed last year that it gave arecord $120,000 to the coalition under its Credit Union AffordableHousing/Homeless Trust.