Wright-Patt Credit Union, Inc.'s (WPCU) Sunshine Community Fund announced the selection of three new 2018-19 Sunshine Community Champions: Artemis Domestic Violence Center, Homefull, and St. Vincent de Paul. The Sunshine Community Fund demonstrates WPCU's commitment to the Miami Valley by fundraising throughout the year to support organizations dedicated to financially improving the lives of others in our area.
“Over the past six years, WPCU partner-employees have raised more than $900,000 to support various area organizations," shared Tracy Szarzi-Fors, Wright-Patt Credit Union's Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. “The Sunshine Community Fund embodies the credit union's mission of helping people through life."
Each year, WPCU employees, vendors and other business partners join together to raise these funds. This year's fundraising goal is $230,000 by June 30, 2019. Each Sunshine Community Champion was selected based on unique initiatives each organization wants to achieve and align with the credit union's objective to foster financial well-being and safety.
The beneficiaries were chosen by an employee-led committee. The selection committee also participates in face-to-face candidate interviews and formal presentations of their overall organization as part of their evaluation.
“WPCU's Sunshine Community Fund allows our employees to make a difference in the communities we serve by being a catalyst for strengthening our community and helping people become more successful," said Szarzi-Fors.
WPCU's Sunshine Community Fund was established in 2015 to positively impact those who live in the communities WPCU serves, with a specific focus in the following areas: financial education, financial programs/products/services, financial stability/recovery, and military troops, veterans and their families' health and wellness programs.
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 1932, the fund evolved into what is now known as Wright-Patt Credit Union.
The 2019-2020 Sunshine Community Fund applications will be available early next year. For more information and details about Wright-Patt Credit Union's community giving and sponsorship initiatives, visit here.
Artemis Center empowers victims to make decisions and choices that will lead to safety for themselves and their children. It was founded in June 1985 by a small group of women to provide services beyond the traditional housing and safety offered by shelters. To find out more about Artemis Center, please visit www.artemiscenter.org.
Homefull works to end homeliness by providing housing, services, advocacy and education. They offer a comprehensive continuum of care and services, from homelessness prevention to permanent housing. To find out more about Homefull, please visit www.homefull.org.
St. Vincent de Paul is a faith-based non-profit serving the Greater Dayton Area to aid the homeless and impoverished by providing emergency shelter, transitional and permanent supportative housing, food, clothing and household items, and guidance to leading a self-sustaining life. To find out more about St. Vincent de Paul, please visit www.stvincentdayton.org.
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