RALEIGH, N.C./COLUMBIA, S.C.–Credit unions in the Carolinas have raised $280,000 so far for the Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund created by the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions.
The fundraising has been led by the Carolinas Credit Union League in coordination with the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation, which had set an initial goal of raising $50,000 for the fund aimed at helping Ukrainians mitigate the impact to Ukraine's credit union system and those that look to it for support, including both employees and members.
"Historically, when one of our global credit union communities is under crisis, the Carolinas' League, Foundation, and credit union community have stepped forward,” said WFCU Executive Director Mike Reuter. “It is no different with supporting Ukraine's credit union system and members during this war. Funding will be divided between immediate, short-term needs of current members and their credit unions, as well as holding a portion in reserve as plans are laid to help reconstruct Ukraine's credit union movement."
Vizo Contributes $25,000
Early efforts to raise funds in the Carolinas were aided by Vizo Financial Corporate Credit Union, which launched its own fundraiser within the Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund, with a promise to match donor contributions up to $25,000, the organization said.
“The response by credit unions in North and South Carolina has been overwhelming,” added League President/CEO Dan Schline in a statement. “We know there is great need in Ukraine and it’s terrific to see how credit unions in our two states and across the country have stepped forward to help.”
Including Vizo Financial’s $62,525 donation, the Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund has raised more than $850,000, as of this reporting. A portion of that money is being sent to humanitarian aid organizations assisting displaced Ukrainians, while the rest will be used for long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts related to Ukraine's credit union system.
The Contributors
In the Carolinas, contributors to date include:
- Carolinas CU Foundation – $5,000
- Carolinas CU League – $5,000
- Allegacy FCU – $10,000
- Carolina Foothills FCU – $5,000
- Carolina Trust FCU – $3,000
- Carolinas Telco FCU – $5,000
- Charlotte Metro CU – $5,000
- Civic FCU – $10,000
- Coastal CU – $50,000
- Corning CU – $5,000
- Founders FCU – $50,000
- Greenville FCU – $5,000
- HealthShare CU – $1,000
- Palmetto Citizens FCU – $5,000
- SAFE FCU – $5,000
- SC Federal Credit Union – $5,000
- SPC CU – $5,000
- Spero Financial FCU – $5,000
- State Employees' CU – $50,000
- Truliant FCU – $10,000
- Vizo Financial Corporate CU – $25,000
‘Truly Remarkable’
“Credit unions lead with their head and their heart and that is what makes our industry truly remarkable,” shared Carolinas Foundation President Lauren Whaley. “The generosity of credit unions in the Carolinas, coupled with donations from across the world, will assist our credit union friends in Ukraine at a time when it is most needed.”