Randolph-Brooks FCU Executive Raises $217,000 for Veterans Home

LIVE OAK, Texas – A senior executive with Randolph-Brooks FCU was recognized by President Bush Sunday with the President’s Volunteer Service Award after she raised $217,000 to benefit the Fisher House and Returning Heroes Home for wounded soldiers and their families.

The credit union agreed to match the funds raised by Sonya McDonald, its vice president of sales. McDonald began her fundraising in January 2006 when her husband was deployed to Iraq.

McDonald spearheaded a fundraising effort to benefit Fisher House, a national foundation that provides military families a home away from home so they can be near their loved ones during hospitalization for illness or injury. Her goal was to raise $200,000 between Memorial Day and Independence Day 2006. To accomplish this, McDonald developed and implemented a marketing plan and solicited help from local businesses and organizations. As a result of her efforts, more than $217,000 was raised.

McDonald is on the Board of Directors for Returning Heroes Home, an organization that is building a 12,000-square-foot house at Fort Sam Houston where military members and their families can learn how to cope with war-related injuries. The house, due to open in December, will include a family room, kitchen facilities, an education center, and a play area for children.