STEVENSVILLE, Mich. United Federal Credit Union has donated resources and services to the Lakeshore Lancer Marching Band in an effort to help them reach Normandy, France, for a special D-Day 70
th Anniversary Commemoration on June 6, 2014.
The band is working to raise $350,000 for the trip and UFCU has donated funds to cover $10,000 of the transfer expenses to and from the airport in Chicago as well as offering each of the 180 students and their 50 chaperones special access to an e-Ca$h account. The special account is ideal for traveling and allows parents to send money to their children with an account transfer using Online, Mobile or Voice banking.
"We have been overwhelmed by the incredible support from our family, friends, school and community in giving to make this dream a reality. We are so grateful to UFCU for the generous support of our students and their efforts to honor our American heroes," said Lakeshore High School Band Director Lori Von Koenig. "UFCU is giving advice and practical financial education to our students and their families for not only this trip, but for their lifelong learning."
In addition to the performance, the Lakeshore Lancer Marching Band will honor the 419 Michigan soldiers resting at the Normandy American Cemetery by pouring sand, collected from Michigan high schools from across the state, on their graves.
"United Federal Credit Union is pleased to assist the Lakeshore Lancer Marching Band in getting to Normandy," said Gary Easterling, United Federal Credit Union President/CEO. "It is a great honor for these teenagers to represent our community and our state on such an important anniversary for our country. This will be an experience of a lifetime."
"The students are excited on many levels, but they are also very focused on the task at hand, which is honoring American soldiers," said Von Koenig. "Every single one of them can tell you why they are doing this with an understanding and maturity beyond their years. I couldn't be more proud of them."
To thank the community, donors, and parents for all of their fundraising efforts, a Celebration of Freedom concert will be performed free of charge by the Lakeshore Lancer Marching Band at the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center in Benton Harbor, Michigan, on Thursday, May 15, starting at 7 p.m. The concert is underwritten by the Lakeshore Excellence Foundation.
Anyone wishing to contribute to the fundraising effort can make a donation at United Federal Credit Union under the Lakeshore Band Parents account. So far the organization has raised $300,000 between fundraisers, grants, and donations.
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About UFCU
United Federal Credit Union has served its Members since 1949 by helping them to build a sound financial future. UFCU consists of more than 120,000 Member/owners worldwide, and manages assets in excess of $1.57 billion. Its corporate offices and main branch are located in St. Joseph, Mich., with additional branches in Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Ohio. UFCU has been named the Michigan Credit Union League Outstanding Credit Union of the Year 2013. UFCU has also been named the National Federal Credit Union of the Year 2013 by the National Association of Federal Credit Unions.
