The Sunshine Community Fund was established to formalize Wright-Patt Credit Union's (WPCU) philanthropic support and continued commitment to the betterment of organizations and programs in the region. Each year, the WPCU Sunshine Community Fund raises money to support up to three nonprofit community organizations (Sunshine Community Champions).
The Sunshine Community Fund recently announced its most ambitious goal yet—to raise $260,000 by June 2020 for this year's Sunshine Community Champions: Dayton Children's Hospital and Rebuilding Together Dayton. These beneficiaries were selected by the Sunshine Community Fund Committee who reviewed applications and led formal on-site evaluations. After the top three organizations were chosen by the committee, two of the organizations were voted on by WPCU partner-employees.
Dayton Children's Hospital is dedicated to their mission of relentless pursuit of optimal health for every child within their reach, reinventing the path to children's health for families throughout the region and beyond. Dayton Children's Hospital plans to use the support from the Sunshine Community Fund towards their Center for Community Health and Advocacy, innovating care delivery.
Rebuilding Together Dayton serves the Miami Valley by assisting low-income senior homeowners with the necessary home repairs and modifications to allow them to age in place in their homes in a safe and healthy environment. With the Sunshine Community Fund, Rebuilding Together Dayton hopes to assist up to 100 additional households in need.
“The Sunshine Community Fund was born from WPCU's people helping people philosophy. Thanks to our partner-employees and to everyone who came together and supported this initiative over the years, the Sunshine Community Fund has given back over $1.2 million dollars to the communities we serve," shared Tracy Szarzi-Fors, the WPCU Sunshine Community Fund's Executive Director.
For more information about the WPCU Sunshine Community Fund's community giving, please visit WPCU.coop/SunshineCommunityFund.
About the Sunshine Community Fund
The WPCU Sunshine Community Fund was first established in 2015 as a way to formalize WPCU's philanthropic support and continued commitment to the betterment of organizations and programs in the region. The Sunshine Community Fund's name was derived from Wright-Patt Credit Union's “people helping people" philosophy that has been around since their beginning in the 1930s. Back then, times were hard for everyone and those who didn't work didn't get paid. Government workers on today's Wright-Patterson Air Force Base joined together to contribute 25 cents a pay period to help a fellow co-worker who was ill and in need of financial support until he could return to work. Recognizing a good idea, they decided to continue the “Sunshine Fund," a shoebox located in the nurse's office to help one another during tough times. In 2019, the WPCU Sunshine Community Fund became incorporated as a separate entity, creating new opportunities for the WPCU Sunshine Community Fund to continue supporting and growing with the community.
About the Sunshine Community Champions
Dayton Children's Hospital – relentless pursuit of optimal health for every child within their reach. To learn more about Dayton Children's Hospital, please visit www.childrensdayton.org.
Rebuilding Together Dayton – building community partnership and providing home rehabilitation for low-income Dayton area homeowners, particularly the elderly, so they may live in warmth, safety and independence. To learn more about Rebuilding Together Dayton, please visit www.rtdayton.org.
About Wright‐Patt Credit Union
Established in 1932, Wright‐Patt Credit Union is a member‐owned, not‐for‐profit financial cooperative proudly serving Central and Southwest Ohio with more than 390,000 members and over $4.9 billion in assets. As a cooperative, Wright‐Patt Credit Union joins members together, pooling financial resources to meet the needs of all. The pooled resources provide the capital to run a strong and efficient operation. Wright‐Patt Credit Union is headquartered in Beavercreek, Ohio, and has 31 Member Centers throughout Central and Southwest Ohio. Wright‐Patt Credit Union's mission is to help people through life by allowing members to achieve a greater degree of economic independence.
Download the Press Release here.