WATERFORD, Conn.– Charter Oak Federal Credit Union has awarded more than $183,000 in community giving during the first six months of 2020, including $75,000 in emergency funding to lessen food shortages across the region caused by the COVID-19 health crisis, and $90,000 in scholarships to high school and college students throughout eastern Connecticut.
“The Coronavirus has impacted every agency in eastern Connecticut serving those in need, so we made sure that we increased our community giving during the first six months toward essential services, like food and housing,” said PresidentCEO Brian A. Orenstein.
Charter Oak said its community giving during this year’s first and second quarters totaled $183,875 including grants to 30 charitable and non-profit agencies serving eastern Connecticut and 45 individual $2,000 scholarships that were awarded in May to high school and college students in New London and Windham counties. Since Charter Oak expanded its scholarship program six years ago, the credit union said it has proudly awarded $528,000 in scholarships to 264 students.
In April, Charter Oak committed $75,000 of its community giving funds to assist 15 food pantries and food centers that serve New London and Windham counties. Charter Oak’s food assistance donations in April were the largest single-month donation in the credit union’s 81-year history.
In addition to these emergency food grants, Charter Oak also assisted an additional 15 charitable groups and non-profits across eastern Connecticut, including a special grant to the Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department in Groton for an additional Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for its firefighters. The new device replaced an older AED that firefighters used to assist those facing life-threatening medical emergencies.
The other Charter Oak community giving grants were awarded to Children in Placement; Connecticut Radio Information System; Eastern Connecticut Community Gardens Association; Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board; Groton Senior Center; Immigration Advocacy & Support Center; LifeFAQs.org; Madonna Place; New London Complete Count Census Committee; Norwich Safety Net Team; S.T.E.P.S.; Thames River Community Service; Thames Valley Council for Community Action; and the Waterford Country School.