MADISON, Wis. – The National Credit Union Foundation (the Foundation) is now accepting donations through its online disaster relief system CUAid.coop to raise money for credit union people affected by wildfires in Northern California.
Credit union supporters in every state can make donations to the General Disaster Relief Fund at cuaid.coop.
Donations to the Foundation’s General Disaster Relief Fund will be used for any credit union employees and volunteers affected by these wildfires, in addition to Hurricane Maria, Hurricane Irma and Tropical Storm Harvey, the NCUF said.
To distribute funds to credit union people in Northern California, the Foundation said it will coordinate with the California Credit Union League.
“We are a family, and when a family member is impacted we come to their assistance,” said Diana Dykstra, president/CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, in an email to credit unions. “These are communities in need. I know each of you can help to raise critical funds to support the families that have been impacted with substantial losses in these devastating fires, so in light of this tragic news, we’re asking for your help.”
According to Dykstra’s report, there are hundreds of credit union employees in the affected area, including some who lost their homes. Many are currently residing in short-term shelter and are looking for long-term solutions.
“After an unprecedented four disasters affecting credit unions, we encourage everyone to give to the Foundation’s General Disaster Relief Fund to help people get their lives back together,” said Gigi Hyland, Foundation Executive Director. “This allows us the flexibility to shift aid between the individual efforts as each situation evolves.”
The NCUF said 100% of the donations through CUAid goes to credit union disaster relief. The Foundation does not use disaster relief funds to pay for the CUAid.coop web platform or any of the Foundation costs to administer the national disaster relief program for credit unions. In the event that any donations to the "General Disaster Relief Fund" are not used for California wildfires, Hurricane Maria, Hurricane Irma and Tropical Storm Harvey, the funds will be used for any future credit union disaster relief efforts.