HANSCOM AFB, Mass.–Hanscom FCU has been busy providing charitable support to a number of organizations.
The Hanscom Air Force Base annual Giving Tree has once again demonstrated the kindness and generosity of the community. As a result of the outreach program, 50 children from 24 families will receive new winter clothing for the holidays.
“It’s great to know that so many military families get the gifts that they really need,” said Mike Rzeszutek, Hanscom FCU Assistant Vice President of Sales and Training and coordinator of this year’s Giving Tree program. “The continued community support is what this season is all about. Being part of this program every year brings a smile and joy to my heart.”
The Giving Tree, located at the Base Exchange, has been part of the holidays at Hanscom Air Force Base since 1990. The tree is decorated with ornaments, each with details about the winter needs of a child. Volunteers select ornaments from the tree and fulfill the needs by donating new, unwrapped items for first sergeants to deliver. Donations will be delivered before the holidays and winter school break.
At right, Hanscom FCU Training Specialist and Giving Tree volunteer Sandy Imbrogna, Master Sergeant Eleuteria Inman, and Hanscom FCU AVP of Sales and Training and Giving Tree coordinator Mike Rzeszutek.
Separately, Hanscom FCU volunteers recently shared their culinary skills by preparing dinner for the guests at Fisher House Boston, which provides lodging for military families who have loved ones receiving care at the West Roxbury Veteran Affairs Medical Center.
“It can be very difficult for these families to be away from home, especially at this time of the year,” said Hanscom FCU Chairman Paul Marotta. “Providing a home-cooked meal is our way of letting them know we are thinking of them and we care.”
At right, Volunteers Jean Marotta and Susan Phillips are joined by Hanscom FCU Chairman Paul Marotta, Hanscom FCU President/CEO David Sprague and Hanscom FCU Director Ray Phillips.
In addition, Hanscom Federal Credit Union recently donated $1,000 of personal items to the Brockton Campus of the VA Boston Healthcare System. The donation included clothes, toiletries and games.
“We are fortunate to be able to support our veterans in this way,” said Chairman Marotta. “These donations will help to make a stay in the hospital a little easier. It’s important that we contribute in this way to show these men and women that we are thinking of them and that we care. It’s a way to show how much we appreciate their service.”
At right, Hanscom FCU Jamaica Plain branch manager Megala Anbazhagan is joined by Voluntary Services Specialists Patrice Woods and Cynthia LaRiviere.
Meanwhile, the annual Hanscom FCU Employee Holiday Raffle raised over $10,000 for A Bed for Every Child, an initiative of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. The raffle generated $5,200, an amount matched by the Credit Union for a total donation of $10,400.
“The money raised will be put to good work,” said Chairman Marotta. “With these funds, A Bed for Every Child will be able to provide 40 beds for children who might not otherwise have a bed to call their own. I am incredibly grateful to the Hanscom FCU employees for this generosity.”
Advocates with the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, working with the public schools to assist families at risk of homelessness, learned that many children struggle in school because they do not get a good night’s sleep. For many, the reason is that they do not have their own beds. As a result, the Coalition launched A Bed for Every Child to provide beds for children in need.
Below, Hanscom FCU elves Deb and Elaine conducted the 2017 Employee Holiday Raffle.