LOS ANGELES — As major wildfires continue to burn in Northern California, credit unions have been challenged to lend a helping hand.
The call comes from the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues and the Fire Family Foundation, the charitable arm of $1 billion Firefighters First Credit Union, based here. Diana Dykstra, president and CEO of the two leagues, outlined the challenge: to credit unions with more than $500 million in assets, donate $5,850; to credit unions with assets between $100 million to $500 million, donate $585, and to credit unions with less than $100 million in assets, donate $58.50.
Firefighters First CU, known from its founding in 1935 until 2014 as Los Angeles Firemen's Credit Union, has pledged $5,850 to start the effort to assist affected residents and firefighters in Middletown and the surrounding Lake County area devastated by wildfires.
"The need is now," Dykstra said in a statement. "With five fatalities, more than 13,000 people still evacuated, hundreds with no home to return to, and the fire contained at only 30%, immediate help is needed. We are asking all California and Nevada credit unions to come to the aid of your neighbors and fellow California residents by lending a helping hand. Our goal, to raise $500,000, needs a commitment from each credit union."
All funds will go to the Middletown Relief Fund, established by Fire Family Foundation in conjunction with CCUL. Funds will be used to pay expenses for everything from food to mortgages and rent to immediate needs for both firefighters and fire victims. To date, more than $50,000 has been raised to support those in need. The Foundation pledges 100% will be dedicated to Middletown and the surrounding communities.
All donations to the Middleton Relief Fund are tax deductible. To make a donation, visit
The devastating fires have enlisted responses from other California-based credit unions, including: $9.3 billion Golden One Credit Union, Sacramento, Calif., which recently held a telethon for victims of all recent fires and raised $1.3 million; $197 million Mendo Lake CU, Ukiah, Calif., which is raising money for a relief fund it has formed in conjunction with two local organizations; $1.1 billion Meriwest CU, San Jose, Calif., is asking its members, employees, family, friends and the community to give what they can, and Meriwest will match the donation and $2.6 billion Redwood CU, Santa Rosa, Calif., which established a Lake County Fire Victims Fund and is accepting contributions to assist those impacted by the fires.
