Arizona League foundation unit donates $15,000 to fire victims

PHOENIX – In line with its program to help out victims of last month's devastating wildfires, the Arizona Credit Union League announced July 18 that its foundation unit has donated $15,000 to three relief organizations in northeast Arizona with funds designated for the needy. "The credit union philosophy of `people helping people' is evident on a daily basis, but when a disaster strikes, credit union people are always willing to go `above and beyond' to help others," said Gary Plank, president/CEO of the league and its Arizona Credit Union Foundation. The League said $5,000, raised from 63 Arizona CUs and drawn from funds of the Foundation and other League foundations across the U.S, will go toward the Salvation Army, the First Assembly of God Church in Springerville, and the Word of Life International Ministry of Show Low. The funds are designated for victims who suffered financial losses due to the Rodeo and Chediski fires that burned over 450,000 acres and destroyed 423 homes. As a result of the CU donations, the relief groups said they were able to feed hundreds of families during June. "We served over 12,000 meals in an eight-day period during the height of the fires," said Pastor Dennis Weiskircher of the First Assembly Church.