Disaster relief efforts continue in Puerto Rico

Illustration urging hurricane relief for Puerto Rico. Helping hand pulling up another to safety.Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico two months ago yesterday. The high-end category 4 storm has devastated the island, which still remains in a state of crisis.

The New York Credit Union Foundation has approved hundreds of thousands of dollars in disaster relief grants to individuals and credit unions in Puerto Rico affected by Hurricane Maria, but the island’s credit union community still needs more help.

As previously reported in The Point, the Foundation—in partnership with the National Credit Union Foundation—has approved more than $240,000 in disaster relief funds for credit unions, individuals and volunteers on the island.

The Foundation estimates that approximately $500,000 will be needed in order cover all the grant requests, which continue to come in on a daily basis.

A number of New York credit unions and credit union leaders have stepped up to support their peers in Puerto Rico, including Municipal CU, which earlier this month pledged a $50,000 donation to assist with the relief efforts.

“Credit unions are based on the philosophy of ‘people helping people.’ In this extraordinary time of need, we believe it is important to support our fellow credit unions in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands in their efforts to rebuild so they can continue to serve their members and communities,” explained Municipal CU President/CEO Kam Wong, “This is the time that we must demonstrate our resolve, and we call on other credit unions and leagues to join us by giving to help rebuild the credit unions devastated during this storm. Working together, we can make a real difference in this needing community.”

To make a contribution to the Hurricane Maria relief efforts, visit the Foundation’s donation page.

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