A generous $5,000 check presented this week to help the flood victims across Michigan’s Great Southwest has the unique opportunity to turn rapidly into $10,000 if the community will match it. That opportunity stems from a donation by United Federal Credit Union who has presented a $5,000 check to the United Way of Southwest Michigan and the Berrien Community Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund to help with the recovery needs of families impacted by flooding.
From now through March 28, 2018, UFCU will match all donations made to this fund for a total donation of up to $10,000.
United Federal’s President & CEO Terry O’Rourke says, “The recent flooding in Southwest Michigan has been devastating to our community. A local state of emergency was declared on February 24 after floodwaters destroyed a significant number of homes and businesses. Emergencies like this can create lasting financial hardships and we are hoping to help alleviate some of that burden.” He adds, “It’s heartbreaking to see family, friends, and neighbors lose so much. Our mission is to enhance our members’ lives and improve our communities, and we are blessed to be in a position to help.”
Donations to be matched by UFCU can be dropped off at any UFCU branch location. To give directly to the Disaster Relief Fund without a matching donation, you can visit www.uwsm.org/relief or text UWSMRELIEF to 51555. If you’d like to donate cash or a check, please make your check payable to BCF/Disaster Relief Fund and mail to:
Disaster Relief Fund, c/o Berrien Community Foundation
2900 South State Street, Suite 2E
St. Joseph, MI 49085
United Way President Anna Murphy responded to the sizable gift, saying, “On behalf of the Berrien Community Foundation and the American Red Cross, we are very thankful for United Federal Credit Union’s generosity and support. They’ve always been a game-changer in our community, and their contribution to the Disaster Relief Fund is going to make a big difference in helping families recover from the recent floods in Southwest Michigan.”
Additionally, United Federal Credit Union immediately offers its members affected by the flooding in Berrien and Cass counties special financial relief programs including:
- The opportunity to skip certain loan payments…
- No penalty withdrawals on share certificates…
- A Signature Loan with no payments for 90 days…
- Budget counseling and Member Assistance Program…
- U First credit card with a low introductory rate
To implement these benefits, members need to visit their local branch or call the UFCU Member Service Center at (888) 982-1400. These opportunities will also be available until March 28, 2018.
United Federal Credit Union has served its members since 1949 by helping them to build a sound financial future. UFCU consists of more than 168,000 member/owners worldwide and manages assets in excess of $2.6 billion. Its corporate offices and main branch are in St. Joseph, with additional branches in Arkansas, Indiana, elsewhere in Michigan, as well as in Nevada, North Carolina, and Ohio. For more information you can visit them online at www.unitedfcu.com.
Shown in the photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market.com are (from left to right) Breeze Ettl, Chapter Executive of the Red Cross of Berrien & Van Buren Counties, Anna Murphy, President of United Way of SW Michigan, Terry O’Rourke, President & CEO of United Federal Credit Union, and Lisa Cripps-Downey, President of the Berrien Community Foundation.
