Letter: Credit union members helped hundreds of kids

From: Lyn Morgan

President, Centra Foundation

Columbus

On behalf of Centra Foundation, I would like to thank Centra Credit Union members and friends for supporting the Holiday Giving Program. Thanks to donations made at local Centra branches, more than 375 less fortunate children received gifts of winter clothes and toys. Donations made in Centra communities totaled over $28,000. The $9,600 raised in Bartholomew County was divided between The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program and the Fraternal Order of Police Shop with a Cop program. Both organizations work very hard each year to ensure children have gifts at Christmas. Centra Foundation and Centra Credit Union were delighted to provide our support.

The Holiday Giving Program was designed as an alternative means to support local holiday assistance programs. Christmas trees at Centra Credit Union branches were decorated with angel tags representing children registered for the Angel Tree and the Shop With a Cop programs. Centra branch staff welcomed monetary gifts of all amounts to support the programs.

We are very appreciative of the numerous people who made gifts to the program. Some were modest, others very generous, all were important and made a difference in the life of a child. As one donor remarked, “It’s all about the kids.”

I had the opportunity to attend The Salvation Army’s gift distribution day and the Shop With a Cop shopping trip. It was humbling to talk with parents and learn about their family situations and current challenges. Everyone I spoke with was very grateful for the Christmas assistance program and knowing that other community residents cared enough about their children to buy Christmas gifts or make donations. There were several single moms and grandmothers struggling to make ends meet on their limited budgets. A dad was collecting gifts for his two young children. Due to a serious health issue he is unable to work and is the caregiver for his 2-year-old son. Taking care of an active 2-year-old is a challenge when you can only lift 12 pounds. He is hopeful that surgery in the new year will enable his family to support the Angel Tree program in 2016. All told me that without support from the community there would have been very little in the way of gifts for their children this Christmas.

Centra Foundation is the charitable arm of Centra Credit Union and was formed to extend the credit union’s mission of people helping people. Centra Foundation is centered on caring and aims to involve Centra members and friends in supporting charitable efforts that help meet the needs of communities where Centra members work and live.

Thank you to everyone who joined with us in the Holiday Giving Program. We believe that together we make a difference.