TIGARD, Ore.–As Russian troops attack the city, the in-laws of one credit union CIO here are trapped in Kyiv, while more than a dozen Oregon credit unions have raised $67,000 to date to help people in the country.
Olena Sheremetyeva, who is married to Joey Rudisill, CIO with Central Willamette Credit Union, has been attempting to call or text her parents in Ukraine from their home in Oregon every couple of hours, according to the Northwest Credit Union Association. Sheremetyeva’s parents live in an apartment building in Kyiv, and have been spending much of their time in a makeshift bomb shelter in the basement, the NWCUA related.
“It’s a tough situation every time we talk, because it feels like it could be the last time we may be able to talk,” Sheremetyeva told the association.
Central Willamette Credit Union is one of a group of 15 Oregon credit unions that have been collaborating to contribute tens of thousands of dollars to organizations helping Ukraine, amid Russia’s full-scale invasion of the sovereign country. Thus far the collective efforts have raised $67,000.
According to the NWCUA, the funds are supporting two organizations that are directly engaged in providing aid to Ukraine. Oregon-based Mercy Corps is on the ground in Ukraine, Romania, and Poland, working to meet the most urgent humanitarian needs in the region.
The Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions’ Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund will provide direct support to mitigate both short and long-term impacts to Ukraine’s credit union system, employees, and consumer members of Ukrainian credit unions (see separate story).
“It is critical that the global community oppose the atrocities currently happening in Ukraine,” said Aaron Goff, president and CEO of Clackamas FCU. “Oregon credit unions stand together with credit unions around the globe in support of the people of Ukraine.”
CUs Providing Support
The NWCUA said Goff helped to organize the collaborative fundraising effort. In addition to Clackamas FCU and Central Willamette, credit unions participating in the fundraising effort include:
- Advantis Credit Union
- Consolidated Community Credit Union
- First Tech Federal Credit Union
- Forrit Credit Union
- Ironworkers USA Federal Credit Union
- Northwest Community Credit Union
- OnPoint Community Credit Union
- Oregon Community Credit Union
- Pacific NW Federal Credit Union
- Point West Credit Union
- Rivermark Community Credit Union
- Trailhead Credit Union
- Unitus Community Credit Union
‘Extended Credit Union Family’
In addition to the contributions made by the Oregon credit unions, the Northwest Credit Union Foundation has also made a $10,000 contribution to the Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund.
“As the impacts of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine unfold, the need for support is urgent,” said Sharee Adkins, executive director. “We appreciate the ways credit unions are responding to bring aid to the extended credit union family in Ukraine.”
For Sheremetyeva, the fundraising brings a great deal of comfort, the NWCUA said.
“It really gives me strength that there is support for my family and friends,” she said. “This is important to me not only as a U.S. citizen, but as a native of Ukraine.”
Donation From Georgia
Separately,the Peach State FCU C.A.R.E.S. Foundation announced a $25,000 donation to the Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund.
“We as credit unions have a social responsibility to help all community members – from serving the needs of members within our footprint, to our fellow credit unions and their communities across the globe. We are honored to back WFCU and WOCCU, and applaud their efforts to help credit unions, their staff, and members in Ukraine. It is our hope that our fellow credit union colleagues will continue to step up and support this worthy and noble cause,” said Peach State’s President/CEO, Marshall Boutwell.