MARLBOROUGH, Mass.—The Credit Unions of Rhode Island have now raised more than $1 million for Special Olympics Rhode Island.
Since 1998, the Credit Unions of Rhode Island have supported their charitable partner and remain one of the largest corporate partners of Special Olympics Rhode Island. During the same timeframe, Special Olympics Rhode Island launched a year-long celebration in honor of their 50th anniversary, the organizations reported.
“Each year, through the collaboration and collective efforts of the state’s 15 credit unions, the Credit Unions of Rhode Island Social Responsibility Committee coordinates a series of state-wide and local fundraising initiatives, including its Inspire Greatness Calendar Raffle, Sweenors candy bar sales, a bowling tournament, individual credit union donations, and the capstone event of the fundraising season, the Credit Unions of Rhode Island Charity Golf Tournament,” said the Cooperative Credit Union Association, which serves CUs in the state. “The credit unions send more than 60 volunteers each year to the Special Olympics Rhode Island Summer Games held at (the University of Rhode Island).”
Special Olympics Rhode Island athletes Michael Lucca, Michael Bullock and Mary Ellen Powers were on hand at the event to accept the check. Special Olympics Rhode Island Executive Director Dennis DeJesus gave a special thank you to all the credit unions for their efforts via a video message as he attended the Special Olympics International 50th anniversary celebration, according to the CCUA. He praised the credit unions for their support of the SORI’s 50th anniversary in addition to cracking the $1 million-dollar mark.
Thanks a Million
His message ended with a big “Thanks A Million” as he introduced three special athletes who made an amazing presentation to the crowd. Lucca, Powers, and Bullock unfolded a “Thanks A Million” banner decorated by hundreds of athletes in honor of the Credit Unions of Rhode Island reaching a Million in conjunction of SORI’s 50th anniversary.
“The Credit Unions of Rhode Island have joined together over the past 20 years to ensure that we can, individually and collectively, support the Special Olympics Rhode Island and have achieved our million dollar year,” said David Dupere, chairman of CCUA’s Credit Unions of Rhode Island Social Responsibility Committee and Executive Vice President/COO, Wave Federal Credit Union in Warwick. “SORI and its athletes to the Credit Unions of Rhode Island are more than supporting a charity and have become more about supporting another part of all our credit union families.”