HANSCOM AFB, Mass. – Hanscom Federal Credit Union participated in a “Build a Bed” event supported by Cooperative Credit Union Association (CCUA) member credit unions. Cadets from Lowell High School’s Air Force JROTC, assisted by cadets from the UMASS Lowell ROTC along with employees and volunteers from Hanscom FCU and Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, built 30 twin-sized beds for area children in need.
The “Build a Bed” event supports the Bed for Every Child initiative of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. The finished beds are scheduled to be delivered with new mattresses and bedding soon.
A Bed for Every Child was launched over six years ago when a teacher in an inner city public school asked for help in getting beds for her students. Like many teachers in other communities were seeing, she was seeing as well; far too many children coming to school tired and having a difficult time focusing on learning simply because they did not have the means for a restful night’s sleep. Today, nearly one in eight children in Massachusetts grows up in poverty. Many of these children lack the most basic comforts and necessities, including their own beds, the credit union said.
“It’s difficult to believe that there are some children in our community who don’t have a bed they can call their own,” said Paul Marotta, Hanscom FCU’s chairman and chairman of the CCUA’s Social Responsibility Committee. “Every child deserves this dignity. Credit unions were founded on the principle of ‘People Helping People,’ and at Hanscom FCU, our entire staff embraces that principle, as well as the Coalition’s work to make sure every child in our state gets a restful night’s sleep in their own bed.”
At right, from left, Robyn Frost, Executive Director, Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless; Hugh McNeil, Board of Directors, Hanscom FCU; Steve Silva, VP of Marketing, Hanscom FCU; Paul Marotta, Chairman of the Board, Hanscom FCU; Kelly Bradley, AVP of Finance, Hanscom FCU; Phil Purcell, VP of Commercial Lending, Hanscom FCU; Hannah Purcell; Ray Kahre, Board of Directors, Hanscom FCU; and Beth Nocito, Client Services Coordinator, Hanscom Investment Services.