Massachusetts Credit Unions' Children's Book Drive Tops 305,000 Books
May 30, 2017
Thirty-five Massachusetts Credit Unions, during their children's book drive last month, collected and distributed 9,428 books to family service agencies, including the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, for the reading enjoyment of children in need across the Commonwealth. This puts the total number of books donated by Mass. CUs in the last 17 years at a whopping 305,000!
Many credit unions conduct their book drives in unique ways. Tremont Credit Union in Boston not only collected books, it also donated $50 to the cause for every 50 books donated. At the end of April, members and staff gave $109.68 in cash donations and 200 books. Adding the $200 brought the total cash donation to $309.68.
Naveo Credit Union in Somerville got the word out about its book drive via its Facebook page, email blasts and through their community partners. The credit union exceeded its goal for several consecutive years and increased the level of participation based on the previous year's collection. "The children's annual book drive is a great initiative that makes sure more kids in our community have books to read. Reading is an important element of a child's development and I'm glad that we once again collected books to help children," said CEO Rui Domingos.
Hanscom Federal Credit Union in Bedford, at 2,054 books, continued its tradition of the most books collected. "The book drive is close to my heart," said Hanscom FCU Chairman of the Board Paul Marotta and chairman of CCUA's Mass. CUs Social Responsibility Committee. "Something as simple as a book of your own can make a difference in a kid's life."
More than 2,000 books collected by Hanscom FCU will go to children in need, thanks to members and staff. L-R: David Sprague, president/CEO; Jim Potter, SVP, operations; Paul Marotta, board chairman; and Sandy Imbrogna, training specialist.
Rounding out the remaining top five participating credit unions were Leominster Credit Union, Leominster, 1,375; MassMutual Federal Credit Union, Springfield, 1,152; Southbridge Credit Union, Southbridge, 407; and Harvard University Employees Credit Union, Cambridge, 379.
Southbridge Credit Union donated its books to the Tri-Community YMCA. "It's great to have our employees and members donate books that are passed on to local organizations that provide much needed and important services to our community," says Lismarie Collazo, director of marketing and community outreach. "The joyful expression on the children's faces is always great to see."
The books donated to the Mass. coalition is being combined with its "A Bed for Every Child" initiative. Every child who receives a new bed will also receive age-appropriate books.
MassMutual Federal Credit Union filled a large bin with more than 1,100 books slated for distribution in the Springfield area.
The social responsibility committee thanks the credit unions for its act of kindness:
Align Credit Union; Arrha Credit Union; Brookline Municipal Credit Union; Chelsea Employees Federal Credit Union; City of Boston Credit Union; Commonwealth Utilities Employees Credit Union; Digital Federal Credit Union; Direct Federal Credit Union; Energy Credit Union; Everett Credit Union; Freedom Credit Union; GFA Federal Credit Union; Hanscom Federal Credit Union; Harvard University Employees Credit Union; Holyoke Credit Union; IC Federal Credit Union; Leominster Credit Union.
Also, MassMutual Federal Credit Union; Medford Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union; Members Plus Credit Union; Methuen Federal Credit Union; Mills42 Federal Credit Union; Naveo Credit Union; Northeastern University Federal Credit Union; PCT Federal Credit Union; Pioneer Valley Credit Union; RTN Federal Credit Union; Santo Christo Federal Credit Union; Southbridge Credit Union; St. Anne's Credit Union of Fall River, Mass.; St. Dominic's Federal Credit Union; St. Jean's Credit Union; Stoneham Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union; Taunton Federal Credit Union; and Tremont Credit Union.
