Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus firefighters Eric Green, left, and Lexi Baxter load a bicycle into the back of a truck during Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund gift delivery day at the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund building in Columbus on Dec. 16. The cheer fund is one of 16 area holiday charities that benefitted from Centra Credit Union’s Holiday Giving Program.
Columbus-based Centra Credit Union’s members, team members and local community members came together this past holiday season to raise more than $60,000 to support local children in need in the regions it serves. These donations were provided through the Holiday Giving Program, which collects monetary donations for local nonprofits that purchase gifts for children in need during the holidays.
“All donations collected from this program went directly to local nonprofits to provide meaningful support to families in need this holiday season,” Centra President and CEO Rick Silvers said. “This cause is one of my favorites as it unites the generosity of our members and team members towards a common cause.”
This year’s program raised $60,284.80 in donations for 16 organizations:
• Brown County Shop with a Cop: $1,828.16
• Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund: $4,961.44
• Columbus Shop with a Cop: $4,961.44
• Fraternal Order of Police Cops and Kids Jackson County: $9,017.16
• Good Samaritan Food Pantry: $4,976.90
• Holidays with Heroes – Carmel: $310.25
• Johnson County Fraternal Order of Police Shop with a Cop: $2,948.57
• North Clark Outreach Center — Elf Tree: $425.26
• Salem County Fraternal Order of Police Shop with a Cop: $917.96
• Salvation Army – Madison: $2,044.46
• Salvation Army – New Albany: $7,952.29
• Santa Protectors – Shelbyville: $2,290.84
• Santa’s Heroes – Greensburg: $1,247.60
• Shop with a Sheriff – Scott County: $9,978.62
• The Julian Center: $1,461.81
• Turning Point Holiday Store: $4,961.44
Centra Members and community supporters have helped more than 4,300 families over the past 10 years of the Holiday Giving Program.
