Hurricane victims thankful for CU friends

MADISON, Wis. (11/23/05)--They've survived the forces of nature. They've lost homes, jobs, cars, and all their possessions. But the victims of the hurricanes that devastated the Gulf Coast have one thing to be thankful for this Thanksgiving: their credit union family.

The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation, which mailed $500 checks to 192 credit union people in Louisiana who were homeless after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, has been receiving thank you letters expressing their gratitude for credit unions in North and South Carolina that donated to the foundation's Disaster Relief Fund.

Other states and the National Credit Union Foundation have received similar thank yous from people they've helped.

The North Carolina Credit Union League featured excerpts from the cards and letters on its website. Here's a sampling:

  • "Words cannot express what we've experienced. It's like a death...you lose everything, cry, deal with the cleanup and then try to rebuild your life. We have not experienced "normal" yet. But as time goes by, our 'normal' is different; we appreciate the small things--like a bed, a hot shower and a job. The outpouring of love and support has been unbelievable. After 32 years with the credit union, I finally see that we are all family...Your love and thoughtfulness will never be forgotten."--GNO FCU employee.

  • "My husband and I just bought our home in August 2004, and it was then destroyed in August 2005 by Katrina. We have a two-year-old daughter and are looking forward to the future and trying to buy her a new home to grow up in. The kindness of the credit unions and employees there will never be forgotten."--US Customs FCU employee.

  • "I am even prouder now than ever to say to everyone that I once worked at a North Carolina credit union. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. May we never have to return the favor, but if in the future your area is in need, I will be there to do my part in lending a hand to help."--ASI FCU employee.

    " You have no idea how wonderful this is for our employees. Several...including me, returned to New Orleans to find horrific wreckage where homes once stood, and streets still engulfed in mud and muck. New Orleans will slowly rebuild, but what you've done will most certainly rebuild the spirits of our storm-weary employees."--ASI FCU employee.

  • "This makes me proud to work for a credit union, and to know we are truly a family"--St. Tammany FCU employee.

  • For Katrina, I had 12 feet of water in my home, then Rita gave me another six feet. Our whole parish is all but gone. It will take a year or two to rebuild, but we will be back. This check was really, really appreciated."--Chalmette Refinery FCU employee.

    " The outpouring of aid from the credit union community has been one of the few bright spots in these darkest of times. It is organizations like yours that make me proud to be part of the credit union movement."--UNO FCU employee.

  • "My family has really benefited from these funds. The funds have allowed us to be together for the Thanksgiving holiday. We (our family members) are all scattered across the U.S. The reunification effort has been made a bit easier and somewhat less stressful. I sincerely thank you from the depths of my heart for this unexpected assistance. God bless you!"--Louisiana Capitol FCU employee.

For more thank you letters, use the resource link.

print this story email this story
Resource Links
Thank you letters
Relief Effort and Support for CUs (R.E.S.C.U.)
News Now Related Stories: Hurricanes 2005


More CU/System

Copyright © 2012 Credit Union National Association