Hanscom FCU Builds Beds for Children in Need

Hanscom AFB, MA (March 27, 2019) – Hanscom Federal Credit Union participated in a “Build a Bed” event over the weekend, supported by Cooperative Credit Union Association (CCUA) member credit unions.  Cadets from Lowell High School’s Air Force JROTC, assisted by cadets from the UMASS Lowell ROTC along with employees and volunteers from Hanscom FCU and Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, built 30 twin-sized beds for area children in need. The “Build a Bed” event supports the Bed for Every Child initiative of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless.

The “Build a Bed” event commenced at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 23rd, and ended around noon. The finished beds are scheduled to be delivered with new mattresses and bedding soon.

A Bed for Every Child was launched over six years ago when a teacher in an inner city public school asked for help in getting beds for her students.  Like many teachers in other communities were seeing, she was seeing as well; far too many children coming to school tired and having a difficult time focusing on learning simply because they did not have the means for a restful night’s sleep.  Today, nearly one in eight children in Massachusetts grows up in poverty. Many of these children lack the most basic comforts and necessities, including their own beds.

“A Bed for Every Child’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty, and we see childhood education as a crucial starting point for that goal,” said Robyn Frost, Executive Director for the MA Coalition for the Homeless. “We want every child, regardless of their family’s financial situation, to receive a good education and that starts with a good night’s sleep.  We are thrilled to be partnering with cadets from Lowell High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps in helping 30 children from Lowell to receive a new bed.  We are grateful to have the support of Hanscom Federal Credit Union who helped to make this day happen.”

“It’s difficult to believe that there are some children in our community who don’t have a bed they can call their own,” said Paul Marotta, Hanscom FCU’s Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the CCUA’s Social Responsibility Committee. “Every child deserves this dignity. Credit unions were founded on the principle of ‘People Helping People,’ and at Hanscom FCU, our entire staff embraces that principle, as well as the Coalition’s work to make sure every child in our state gets a restful night’s sleep in their own bed.”

About Hanscom FCU

Hanscom Federal Credit Union, headquartered at Hanscom Air Force Base, serves over 88,000 members across the country and overseas through 21 branches, over 100,000 service centers and surcharge-free ATMs, 24-hour telephone service, and a web-based branch. The credit union holds $1.3 billion in assets. Follow Hanscom FCU on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and check out our MoneyWisdom blog today.