TULSA, Okla.–TTCU the Credit Union donated more than $200,000 to Tulsa Public Schools as the first payment toward a $1-million pledge the credit union has made.
During a Tulsa School District board meeting, the CU presented a check for $263,750 to the schools.
As CUToday.info reported here, in early June TTCU the Credit Union announced its $1-million pledge match to benefit area school districts, while also launching a program called SOS – Support Our Schools as part of a broader fundraising campaign to raise a total of $4 million to help districts facing budget cuts this year.
“It has been wonderful to see communities rally around their schools and join the SOS campaign over the summer,” said TTCU VP-Marketing Donita Quesnel. “Now TTCU is distributing the $1 million we pledged to area schools, and we are overwhelmed at the tremendous appreciation we have received from the schools. It’s a great feeling to be able to help.”
TTCU President and CEO Tim Lyons presented the donation at the Tulsa School Board meeting Monday evening. “Our goal has been to inspire others to give,” Lyons said. “We’ve seen a lot of that happen over the last three months.”
Lyons said TTCU stands behind school employees in all districts in the area. “We’re in your corner,” he said. “We want to make a difference.”
TTCU will continue to distribute its pledge to the top 15 largest area school districts through September. Of the $263,750 presented to TPS on Monday, $250,000 is the district’s portion of the original $1-million pledge.
The remaining money was raised through TTCU’s ongoing School Pride program, which allows TTCU members to choose among more than 50 school card designs as the debit card for their checking accounts. Each time the card is swiped for a purchase, TTCU makes a donation to the school featured on the card.
The total SOS match amount has not yet been announced. Several foundations, including the George Kaiser Family Foundation, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, and the Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation, had already collectively pledged to support the campaign with up to $500,000.