The industry's financial relief effort for victims of Northeastflooding picked up steam this week with New Hampshire's largest CU,the $1.8 billion Service CU, presenting a $125,000 check to Gov.John Lynch to assist with devastation caused by HurricaneIrene.

The state's chief executive called the donation Monday from thePortsmouth CU “extraordinarily generous” and said it would go along way toward helping people impacted by last month's storms.

In a statement, Lynch lauded “everyone at Service Credit Union”and its president/CEO, Gordon Simmons as a “proven leader inhelping the people of New Hampshire.”

The accolades came as CU financial aid programs in neighboring –and harder-hit Vermont – continued to expand with a special“50/50 Raffle” organized this month by the Association of VermontCredit Unions and CUAid, the online disaster aid vehicle of theNational Credit Union Foundation.

On its website, the Vermont trade group said $10 ticketpurchases are starting to come in from Vermont CUs for the Oct. 15 50/50 raffle in which half of the receipts go to a luckywinner and the remainder to Vermont victims of the Aug. 28flooding.

AVCU said that although almost three weeks have passed sinceIrene, then a tropical storm, “wreaked havoc on much of Vermont,recovery efforts continue with disaster funds at the Red Cross, theVermont Foodbank and innumerable other local outlets performingwonders in supporting urgent an immediate needs like food clothing,shelter and supplies.”

The financial impact, however, “will be felt by many long afterthe media coverage ends,” said AVCU, urging more CU donationsthrough CUAid.

CUs can purchase the $10 raffle tickets through a PayPal accountwith the raffle winner determined by the independent accountingfirm of A.M. Peisch & Co, the Vermont league said.

“Credit unions, other corporate entities or individuals who wantto see 100% of their charitable donation go to Irene's victims maysupport CU Aid by making a direct contribution,” the AVCU said.

Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association said its foundation hasapproved directing funds to assist flood victims of Tropical StormLee with a $3,000 donation to CUAid from PCUA and Pacul ServiceInc.

CUAid itself said in Madison, Wis., it has raised $21,000nationally for victims of the recent storms.