Less than a week before Thanksgiving the six-year old, credit union-run "Operation Best Wishes" campaign to support the troops is on an expanded nationwide roll managing to struggle without financial backing of its major benefactor, WesCorp.
"It hasn't been easy but when you see the tear-stained faces of those happy families talking to loved ones overseas on the video screen," it is heartening to realize the wide-ranging industry contributions," said Bradley Smith, vice president of strategic development at the $530 million Pacific Marine CU, Camp Pendleton, Calif., one of some 16 military CUs tapped to donate staff and resources to support "Operation Best Wishes."
Before WesCorp went into NCUA conservatorship, the San Dimas, Calif. corporate financed the entire video operation during the holiday season to move staff and equipment to some 20 bases across the U.S.
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"Best Wishes," started by WesCorp in 2004, was set up to provide joyous moments to military families who could line up in booths to record the now 960 internet video messages and so far in 2009 more sites have been added despite the economic downturn impacting so many CU bottomlines.
In some cases, the new technology of Twitter, Facebook, Skype etc. have made some elements of the on-screen chats obsolete, but the participating CUs from Alaska to Virginia led by the Defense Credit Union Council insist staff time is well worth the effort "particularly when you realize the sacrifice made by our brave men and women, some of them on their fifth deployment. That's the least we can do." said Walter Laskos, director of WesCorp. public relations.
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