MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif.–Kinecta FCU has made a $50,000 donation to a credit union-affiliated fund that is buying generators for Ukrainians as winter arrives and Russian attacks on that country target energy and heating infrastructure.
The funds were donated to the Via Stella Foundation, an initiative of Polish and American credit unions and associations designed to “help people who found themselves in need as a result of unforeseen events,” according to its website.
In March of 2022 the Via Stella Foundation was created and has aided Polish credit unions and members in securing housing, setting up education for children and purchasing ambulances to travel across the border to transport the sick and elderly. The Foundation was created in Poland by its CU trade association, NACSCU, and its CEO, Rafal Matusiak.
In the United States, the effort has been led by two people, Brian Branch, the former CEO of the World Council of Credit Unions, and Bruce Foulke, the CEO of American Heritage FCU. As CUToday.info reported here, Branch and Foulke have visited Poland several times and even helped raise funds for and deliver ambulances to Ukraine.
Matusiak and his colleagues in Poland have been purchasing the generators and sending them to Ukraine for use in hospitals, schools and to establish “heating points,” or single locations in some communities where people can go to get warm.
‘I Don’t Know What to Say’
The cost of generators averages about $1,500, according to Mitchell Stankovic & Associates, which has been active in providing assistance and raising funds for Ukraine since the beginning of the war.
Via Stella has sent 21 generators to Ukraine so far, the company stated.
“I feel for those heading into the winter with no power! Susan (Mitchell, CEO of Mitchell Stankovic & Associates) shared with us the need for generators,” said Jeff Yonemura, chair of Kinecta FCU. “Our entire board has pulled together $50,000 that we donated and wired to Via Stella yesterday. We would like it directed to purchase generators.”
In response to the donation, Matusiak said, “I don't know what to say, so wonderful and momentous is this decision. It is an expression not only of great generosity, but also of extraordinary sensitivity to human dramas and needs. I thank you with all my heart and congratulate you for working among such wonderful and sensitive people. I am touched. I wish you a good and peaceful 2023.”
As has been widely reported, Russia has targeted the energy infrastructure of Ukraine, with some estimates suggesting that more than 50% of the country’s energy systems have been damaged, leaving much of Ukraine’s power generation capacity is offline.
Of ‘Profound Importance’
“The mission of people, helping people is one of profound importance to me this year,” said Mitchell. “Our global community connects us, inspires us to better understand the meaning of belonging and brings out the best of humankind. There is no need to explain relevancy or modernize the mission, if credit union people all join hands and hearts to create a better life for those they serve. And reach out to support credit unions around the world who share this commitment.”
Additional information on the Via Stella Foundation can be found here.