MARLBOROUGH, Mass.–Credit unions in Massachusetts have now raised more than $2 million in funds to support a “A Bed for Every Child,” an initiative of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless.
Separately, the Cooperative Credit Union Association has also named its new board members.
The announcement the $2 million milestone had been passed as well as the new board were made during the CCUA’s recent annual meeting.
“The idea of so many children throughout Massachusetts not having their own bed is unimaginable,” said Ronald McLean, president/CEO of the Cooperative Credit Union Association, the CCUA reported. “Massachusetts credit unions have banned together to ensure every child has a place to dream. We believe in the good work that the Coalition accomplishes and are happy to do our part in helping children get a good night’s sleep to prepare them for a better future.”
According to the CCUA, credit unions in the Bay State have supported the Coalition for more than two decades, raising the more than $2 million to pay for blankets, toys and books to help families in need.
All Cities & Towns
The need for “A Bed for Every Child” reaches all cities and towns in Massachusetts, the CCUA said, noting “A Bed for Every Child” began when a concerned inner-city public-school teacher reached out to the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. At the time, the teacher was seeing an increase in the number of students who did not have a bed of their own. As a result, these students were coming to school tired and not ready to learn.
The CCUA quoted Robyn Frost, executive director of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, as saying, “There is no one face to a child receiving a bed, but they do have one thing in common, and that is, they are growing up on poverty in Massachusetts. The ability for A Bed for Every Child to keep up with the demand continues to outpace the Coalition’s capacity. We are extremely fortunate to have Massachusetts’ credit unions as our partner.”
New Board Named
Meanwhile, the Cooperative Credit Union Association (CCUA) passed the gavel of leadership to a new chairman, Ronald Covey, Jr., president/CEO of St. Mary’s Bank in Manchester, N.H. Covey accepted the gavel from departing board chair Ellen Ford, president/CEO of People’s Credit Union in Middletown, Rhode Island.
The board also saw three other changes. Roland “Ron” Draper, president/CEO of Sommerville Municipal FCU, was named vice chair, and David Suvall, president/CEO of Rhode Island Credit Union, was named board secretary. Jerry King, president/CEO of DEXSTA Federal Credit Union will continue to serve as treasurer.
Newly elected Fred Reinhardt, president/CEO of Greenwood Credit Union, joined the board to begin a three-year term to fill the seat vacated by Ford who completed her term on the board.
Other Board Members
Remaining board members include Eileen Danahey, president/CEO of St. Anne's Credit Union; Anabela Grenier, president/CEO of Pioneer Valley Federal Credit Union; Brian Hughes, president/CEO of Holy Rosary Credit Union; John O’Brien, president/CEO of Leominster Credit Union; Chaz Rzewnicki, president/CEO of Dover Federal Credit Union, and John (Bernie) Winne, president/CEO of Boston Firefighters Credit Union.