Disaster Relief Aid in the Carolinas

Good afternoon CEOs:

While Hurricane Dorian is still impacting the Carolinas, the Carolinas Foundation is preparing to assist credit unions, employees and volunteers, just as we did with Hurricane Florence less than a year ago . Our disaster relief grant program provides timely financial support for credit unions as well as individuals whose homes are damaged. Our goal is to help employees get back on their feet quickly to serve the needs of your members.

In coordination with the Carolinas Credit Union League, we are continuing to monitor the reports from credit unions and are hopeful that most will be in full operation by Monday. Power outages, flooding and downed trees will continue to impact our communities through the weekend. We encourage you to share the details below with your HR department and others to determine if the Foundation's disaster relief grants can support recovery efforts within your credit union.

To assist our credit union employees and volunteers, the Carolinas Foundation is accepting applications within 30 days of Hurricane Dorian for Quick Impact Grants up to $500. These grants are designed for individuals who have experienced significant evacuation expenses or for those whose homes are uninhabitable or damaged. Loss of food due to power outages, damage to a storage shed or outbuildings, and other minor damage should not warrant a disaster relief grant.  

If additional funds are needed, we will announce Phase II Grants for credit union employees and volunteers with unfulfilled disaster needs after other resources such as insurance and FEMA have been used. These grants of up to $1,500 will be available 60 to 90 days following Hurricane Dorian.

In times of crisis, our unified People Helping People philosophy makes the credit union industry truly amazing. The National Credit Union Foundation is in close contact with all state foundations and leagues in Hurricane Dorian's path to assist with funds through CUAid. The Carolinas Foundation answered the call for support from the Worldwide Foundation for recovery efforts in the Bahamas. Further, our partners at the Carolinas Credit Union League have been quick in offering communication channels to assess the impact of Hurricane Dorian and has provided the Carolinas Foundation with a $5,000 donation for our Disaster Relief Fund .

If you or someone you know in the Carolinas credit union system is in need of our support, please reach out. I am happy to field any questions via email at [email protected] or you may call me directly at 919-600-8219. We thank you for your support. Our prayers will continue for all of those impacted by Hurricane Dorian.

Best to you and yours,

Lauren Whaley
President
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There are several ways to participate including: (1) signing up as a golfer; (2) becoming a sponsor; and/or (3) donating/participating in the Silent and Live Auction. Registration is due September 13th!


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The Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2019 Achievement and Partner in Philanthropy Awards that will be presented at the Awards Gala.


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Contact the Foundation:
Lauren Whaley, President | 919-600-8219 | E-mail |

The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation was incorporated in 1993 as a charitable organization dedicated to the embodiment of the “people helping people” philosophy of credit unions. Its mission is to empower and inspire credit unions in the Carolinas through collaborative opportunities to enrich our communities. The Foundation is currently partnering with Victory Junction to power its outreach program called Reach, bringing specialized camp-style programming to children and families year-round at hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses in the Carolinas. It also serves as a partner in philanthropy with credit unions, assisting charitable giving through donor-advised funds, managing scholarship programs, supporting small credit unions with professional development grants, and aiding disaster relief for the local, national, and global credit union communities.