DALLAS — The Hurricane Ike fundraising campaign providingdisaster relief to industry victims stepped up the pace last weekwith plans unveiled for a $100,000 celebrity golf tournament Nov.18 at a Dallas country club.

High-level sponsors for the event, coordinated by the TexasCredit Union League, include a coalition of corporates, CU vendorsand the Harmon Killebrew Foundation.

Southwest Corporate FCU, US Central FCU, Co-Op FinancialServices, Bluepoint Solutions, Pulse and American Share Insurancewere listed as confirming sponsors, putting up $7,500 each.

The Nov. 18 event includes golf foursomes to play 18 holes “ofchampionship golf at the fabulous Cowboys Golf Club in Grapevinealong with sports celebrities,” including Minnesota Twins Hall ofFamer Harmon Killebrew. The tab per foursome is $1,000.

“This tournament will be a fabulous way to support the disasterrelief efforts,” said Richard Ensweiler, Texas Credit Union LeagueCEO/president. “The credit union community has been quick torespond to the initial disaster needs, and we know the demand willbe there for the longer term needs as well.”

The Texas Credit Union Foundation already has provided nearly900 grants to Texas CU employees and members, with the totaldistributed now topping $469,000.

Separately, the league and the foundation said it will behosting a nationwide adopt-a-family program and wish list over theChristmas holidays, providing a means for those affected to placetheir needs on league Web sites.

“Credit unions worldwide can select a family and fulfill thewish list,” said the league. It will also be offering counselingsessions Nov. 3-6 for affected employees in four coastal cities.The debriefing sessions, conducted by psychologist Charles A.Scott, will be held in Port Arthur, Orange, Clear Lake andBeaumont.

“Credit union employees who have suffered personal loss as aresult of Hurricane Ike are encouraged to take advantage of thisopportunity share experiences with their peers, who perhaps aregoing through similar stresses and sense of loss,” said RichardGrady, vice president of marketing/public relations andcommunications for the league.

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