PHILADELPHIA– Seventeen credit unions have joined to raise more than $220,000 to collectively purchase and donate 30,000 Personal Protective Equipment medical gowns to healthcare facilities throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
Representatives from the contributing credit unions came together at American Heritage Credit Union’s main office to pack the PPE materials into a fleet of vehicles from all contributing credit unions. The 30,000 gowns were then distributed by each credit union to dozens of local hospitals, skilled nursing centers, and other healthcare facilities, organizers said.
Organizers noted Pennsylvania and New Jersey have been among the hardest hit states during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that many CUs have historically partnered with hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and other healthcare centers as partners and SEGs.
Working ‘Cooperatively’
“The actions of these credit unions throughout Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania offer a prime example of how credit unions work cooperatively in communities throughout the region in addition to being the best financial services option for consumers,” said Patrick Conway, president & CEO of the CrossState Credit Union Association.
Added American Heritage CU President and CEO Bruce Foulke, “For many years, we have worked with local hospitals to raise millions for their pediatric therapy programs. We recently donated 50,000 PPE facemasks to our local hospital partners. Many local hospitals have told their credit union partners that they are still in need of PPE gowns as they continue to help our region recover, and it is our duty to help them.”
Supporting CUs
CUs that contributed and donated gowns as part of the effort include:
• American Heritage Credit Union (PA)
• American Spirit Federal Credit Union (DE)
• Belco Community Credit Union (PA)
• Citadel Credit Union (PA)
• Discovery Federal Credit Union (PA)
• Eagle One Federal Credit Union (DE)
• First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union (PA)
• Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union (PA)
• Freedom Credit Union (PA)
• Healthcare Employees Federal Credit Union (NJ)
• Penn East Federal Credit Union (PA)
• Service 1st Federal Credit Union (PA)
• Sun East Federal Credit Union (PA)
• Trumark Financial Credit Union (PA)
• West-Aircomm Federal Credit Union (PA)
• CrossState Credit Union Association (Representing PA & NJ credit unions)
• First Heritage Mortgage Services – a Credit Union Service Organization
• Shields Business Solutions