Credit Union Awards $20,000 to Advancing Lives
April 24, 2014
Photo: Brett Frazier, Executive Director of the Humane Society and Advia member Roxana Martin.
Kalamazoo, MI - What would you do if you were given $1,000 to advance your life, plus choose your favorite charitable organization to receive $1,000 to advance the lives of others in your community? Ten lucky Advia Credit Union members were recently given this opportunity, and are now each a little richer both in terms of cash in their pocket and a sense of paying it forward.
Winners were chosen from more than 5,500 entries in the credit unions Advancing Lives sweepstakes, held as a part their campaign to reveal the new Advia Credit Union name in January. Each winner was able to choose a local organization that exists for the advancement of educational, scientific or other charitable purposes.
Each members reasoning for their choice varied, but most made the decision because their life, or the life of someone special to them, had in some way already been advanced because of their chosen organization. Amanda Hakes chose her sons school to receive $1,000 because she felt that they have already done so much to help make him into the terrific person hes becoming. Victoria Zerbes husband received a heart transplant, and she was excited to know that choosing Gift of Life as her organization could directly impact another donor recipient. Nancy Tates son suffers from Ankylosing Spondylitis, a rare form of arthritis. She hopes to help other sufferers by choosing the Arthritis Foundation.
A few members chose to help those who really cant help themselves animals. Roxana Martin and MaryAnn Venier both chose organizations that rescue and take care of rescued animals. Neither one had a personal connection to their organization, but both were animal lovers and hoped their choice would help a few more animals in need.
The recipient organizations were all very appreciative of the unexpected $1,000 donation, and many already knew how it would be used to advance the lives of community members. Ashley Morgan of the Arthritis Foundation said they plan to send another child to camp that otherwise may not have been able to attend without Advias generosity. According to Wings of Hope Hospice representative Betty Jo Ferry, Advias gift will benefit several people as it costs $152 per day to care for one individual.
As for how the members plan to advance their lives with the gift of money, many have earmarked it for a special purpose, and a few plan to save it. The call couldnt have come at a better time for Ryan Lavere, as he has twins on the way! Sue Armstrong has wanted to put together a family reunion for some time, and thinks she can make it happen with this unexpected gift. Faren Jennings was just happy to win, and is not really sure yet what shell do with the money. Maybe shell decide to save it like Carolyn Taylor.
Congratulations to the follow Advia Credit Union members and their chosen organizations:
- Sue Armstrong (Fort Gratiot, MI) Thirty One Gives
- David Szelog (St. Clair, MI) Wounded Warrior
- MaryAnn Venier (Clinton Township, MI) Detroit Dog Rescue
- Ryan Lavere (Port Huron, MI) Hunter Hospitality House
- Amanda Hakes (Janesville, WI) Rock County Christian School
- Roxana Martin (Beloit, WI) Rock County Humane Society
- Victoria Zerbe (Portage, MI) Gift of Life
- Faren Jennings (Grand Rapids, MI) Association for Suicide Prevention
- Nancy Tate (Kalamazoo, MI) Arthritis Foundation
- Carolyn Taylor (Otsego, MI) Wings of Hope Hospice
�