MILWAUKIE, Ore.–Clackamas Federal Credit Union is reporting 2020 was a record-setting year for community support, noting it gave more than $120,000 to local community organizations and employees spent more than 670 hours volunteering.
The credit union noted the pandemic created an increased need for many of the community organizations that serve individuals in Clackamas County. In an effort to enhance their impact and make a difference, Clackamas supported organizations helping with food and housing insecurity, emergency response, inclusion and recognition, and child-focused services.
CFCU noted community centers and food banks make a tremendous impact on improving lives for people who experience food and housing insecurity.
“When it came to COVID-19 relief, their efforts were often overlooked despite their finances, staff, volunteers, and donations being severely stretched. Local organizations like Clackamas Service Center, The Canby Center, Sandy Community Action Center, Clackamas Women’s Services and Friends of the Milwaukie Center Meals on Wheels program all needed help,” the credit union said.
Clackamas was quick to respond to the needs of these organizations in the beginning of the pandemic by providing monetary and in-kind donations. Clackamas employees stepped up to the plate as well – since March 2020, Clackamas staff have been making weekly deliveries of food boxes for Clackamas Service Center.
Seeing that needs skyrocketed even later in the year, Clackamas said it also increased its support for small community centers and local food banks by donating nearly $40,000 to organizations supporting food and housing insecurity.
During a year full of emergency responses due to a pandemic and local wildfires, Clackamas said it knew local emergency support relief efforts needed help. With donations totaling over $20,000, the local credit union stepped up to the plate to support free clinics with Clackamas Volunteers in Medicine, wildfire relief with Clackamas Emergency Services, and the local chapter of the American Red Cross. Some of the Oregon wildfires directly impacted Clackamas members and employees as well. Clackamas was quick to support employees who were displaced from their homes by securing hotel rooms. Members who were similarly impacted were gifted some much-needed supplies including towels, socks, blankets, and items for children.
To help support inclusion and recognition for those who are often overlooked by society, Clackamas supported local efforts with donations and fundraising totaling over $50,000 supporting Special Olympics Oregon and Word is Bond. Special Olympics Oregon supports inclusion and recognition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Because the individuals they serve can be immunocompromised, playing sports together in-person was not safe this year. Quick to respond to the pandemic and keep athletes engaged while distanced, Special Olympics Oregon developed virtual programs including fitness classes on Zoom, a digital community on Facebook, and virtual programming for their Fall and Winter Games. Several Clackamas staff members have volunteered to coach these virtual teams.
The past year was especially impactful for children. Clackamas supported organizations that focused on children’s services with donations totaling over $11,000. Clackamas partnered with Financial Beginnings to respond quickly to the changing learning environment, and began offering financial literacy classes virtually. The pandemic greatly impacted children who are already in-need or at-risk due to illness. Supporting local, community-led efforts to help families in- need, Clackamas partnered with Winter Blitz at Clackamas High School and Children’s Cancer Association, the credit union reported.