As the military operation in the Middle East winds down, credit unions continue to reached out to armed forces personnel in the region.
In the case of military personnel deployed as part of the war in Iraq, they were so pleased with the care packages sent with the assistance of OmniAmerican Credit Union that they posed in front of a banner as a way of saying thanks.
The banner was created as part of the Ft. Worth, Texas-based credit union's participation in the annual Joint Family Readiness Community Day at the Naval Air Station/Joint Reserve Base on which OACU has a branch. Families attending the event signed the banner and filled it with words of encouragement.
The banner then accompanied the care packages assembled by the navy Marine Corps Relief Society and included items such as wash cloths, toothbrushes, foot powder and shaving cream, which were sent to the Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit #109 in Kuwait.
Meanwhile, credit unions have been involved in a number of other efforts to support the troopos, including:
* CHARLESTON, W.Va.-The Weirton/ Wellsburg Chapter of the West Virginia league has raised funds for and provided gifts to Pfc. Jessica Lynch, the West Virginia native who was seriously hurt and then captured by Iraqi forces, before being rescued by the U.S. military. The gifts were presented in honor of Lynch's 20th birthday. During its annual meeting, the chapter raised funds for a $1,000 cash gift, a $400 gift card to Kaufmann's, a $100 gift card to Sears, a gift basket from JCPenney, and a two-night stay at the Charleston Marriott. Lynch remains hospitalized.
* SCRANTON, Penn.-The Tobyhanna Army Depot FCU employees showed their support for our troops by wearing Operation Iraqi Freedom T-Shirts.
* ABERDEEN, Md.-Employees of Aberdeen Proving Ground FCU helped send packages to family members of staff serving in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Korea.
* LAKE CHARLES, La.-Lake Charles CU employees put together care packages for 150 soldiers, including 75 from the area.
* WARNER ROBINS, Ga.-Robins Federal CU employees donated items to be used in care packages for several employees' spouses.
* ST. LOUIS, Mo.-Anheuser-Busch Employees' CU raised $1,652 to purchase care packages for members of the military through Operation USO Care Package. For $5, employees wore patriotic shirts and jeans to work; management matched the donation.
