FARMERS BRANCH, Texas — With dozens of credit union employees losing their homes and other property destroyed in Hurricane Ike, Texas Credit Union League President/CEO Richard Ensweiler issued an urgent call last week for the industry to open up wallets and give generously toward disaster relief.
"Your Credit Union Family Needs Your Support," headlined a widely distributed e-mail Ensweiler sent to CUs, vendors and industry groups across the U.S.
Employee homes "have been wiped out, material possessions lost, futures uncertain, and yet they still muster the strength and courage to report to work every day," wrote Ensweiler. "They are tellers, member service representatives, loan officers, managers, CEOs and volunteers, and they are victims of Hurricane Ike."
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Joining in the appeal was Texas Credit Union Foundation Executive Director Jill Pharr, who said, "Hundreds are facing significant out-of-pocket expenses to repair the damage and still others haven't even been able to return to their homes to assess damage and instead they are relying on the kindness of friends, family members or shelters for the basic necessities."
Countless employees, she said, have had "to deplete their checking and savings accounts just to get themselves and their families out of harm's way, with expenses piling up."
Ensweiler and Pharr suggested making donations to the Texas Credit Union Foundation Disaster Relief Fund, either by mail at 4455 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1100, Famers Branch TX 75244-5998, or to Southwest Corporate Federal Credit Union, ABA 311990511, Texas Credit Union Foundation, Account # 311900048, Reference: disaster relief funds.
More information about emergency grants and donations is available at www.tcuf.coop under the disaster tab.
Those who would like employees, members and community to join in the fundraising effort may post on their Web sites the CUAid link, www.CUAid.coop/Texas. This online donation tool can be used by members and credit union employees to make secure online donations to the disaster relief fund.
"As with credit union donations, 100% of these donations go directly to credit union disaster victims," said the league.
Ensweiler asked CU leaders to "show what it means to be part of the credit union movement."
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