LYNN, Mass. — Massachusetts credit unions, which for nearly two decades have been at the state's forefront of aiding homeowners and the homeless with charitable giving, were singled out again Monday as “unsung corporate heroes” with questions raised anew about spreading a positive CU message.

“It's really phenomenal what credit unions in this state have done and I'm not sure why more of the public does not know this story,” declared Robyn Frost, executive director of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, a grassroots advocacy group counting 700 faith communities.

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

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

“Brotherhood is hardly alone in doing these phenomenal things and the league itself has been exceptionally generous as our biggest contributor,” said Frost, referring to the Massachusetts Credit Union League, which disclosed last year that it gave a record $120,000 to the coalition under its Credit Union Affordable Housing/Homeless Trust.