PORT NECHES, Tex. - While maintaining member service has been high on credit union's lists in the wake of Hurricane Ike, making sure that members and staff affected by the storm receive aid is top priority as well-especially in Texas.
Last week the Texas Credit Union League learned that dozens of credit union employees' homes were destroyed.
"Many have had everything washed away," said Texas Credit Union Foundation (TCUF) Executive Director Jill Pharr. "Hundreds are facing significant out-of-pocket expenses to pay for damage caused by the hurricane and to cover the things they need to get by."
State leagues, the National Credit Union Foundation, and the NCUA are raising disaster relief support for members, which provide much-needed support, shared Scarlett Garsea, VP of human resources and marketing for the Port Neches, Tex.-based Neches FCU, who said three of her employees have been hard hit by Ike.
"They have nothing to go home to. They've lost everything," Garsea said. "The devastation from the storm can be overwhelming. The support our employees and members get from the league is so important. Between the time they get assistance from their insurance and FEMA, they need essentials, like food. It helps with their immediate needs."
Credit unions in Texas are encouraged by TCUF to donate directly to the TCUF Disaster Relief Fund, either by mail (4455 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1100, Farmers Branch TX 75244-5998), or wire (Southwest Corporate FCU, ABA 311990511, Texas Credit Union Foundation, account # 311900048, reference: Disaster Relief funds). More information about emergency grants and donations is available at TCUF's website, www.tcuf.coop, on the Disaster tab.
The Louisiana Credit Union Foundation, in partnership with the National Credit Union Foundation, has activated the online disaster relief system CUAid.coop (www.cuaid.coop/site/PageServer) to raise money for Louisiana credit union people affected by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.(c) 2008 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved.http://www.cujournal.com/ http://www.sourcemedia.com/
