CUNA Focuses Hurricane Relief Under ’R.E.S.C.U.’; Program Coordinates Many Efforts Already Taking Place Within Movement

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- CUNA is focusing the energy of the movement in support of credit unions in the hurricane- and flood-ravaged areas in the Gulf states under a common program, as well as adding resources to help credit unions more efficiently make donations and offer support, or for credit unions to find and obtain relief and support.

The “Relief Effort and Support for Credit Unions” (R.E.S.C.U.) has been developed to focus the energies of the movement, while also instilling efficiencies into the relief effort, according to CUNA President and CEO Dan Mica.

“CUNA and the Leagues had already been accomplishing a large chunk of a relief effort for credit unions, but under various programs, efforts and plans,” Mica said. “The R.E.S.C.U. program brings all of these labors under one umbrella, and allows us to more effectively focus the movement’s efforts in helping credit unions in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama get back on their feet, and continue serving their members.”

Mica pointed out that CUNA and the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) had been in contact with the Leagues in the affected states immediately after the storm and daily since to coordinate movement response to the needs of credit unions in the Gulf area. Additionally, CUNA had also issued nationwide pleas among the very largest credit unions for equipment and other resources to be sent to credit unions in the hurricane-affected area to help them begin serving members.

Under R.E.S.C.U., CUNA will continue coordinating relief efforts for credit unions with the Leagues, but is also adding a number of resources, including:

-- Two “800 number” telephone lines. The first (800-599-1197) is for credit unions to call to find out how to make cash, equipment and other donations for relief to credit unions in the affected states. The second line (800-333-2862) is for credit unions in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama (as well as other states) to call to request assistance from the credit union movement.

-- A central data base that enables credit unions making donations (particularly equipment and other resources) and credit unions seeking assistance to easily and efficiently match up with another.

-- Web assets (at www.cuna.org) dedicated to the distribution of information about national, state and local resources relevant to credit unions and the hurricane disaster.

-- Continues updates about federal laws and regulations (proposed and existing) affecting credit unions and service to their members, utilizing RSS newsfeeds.

CUNA is also working in conjunction with the National Credit Union Foundation and its Disaster Relief Fund under the auspices of the R.E.S.C.U. program to coordinate fundraising and funds distribution from credit unions, and to credit unions in need in the hurricane- and flood-ravaged states.

Mica noted that additional resources would be added to the R.E.S.C.U. program as needed or identified by the credit union movement.

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With its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, Credit Union National Association serves 90 percent of America’s 9,000 credit unions, which are owned by 87 million consumer members. Credit unions are not-for-profit cooperatives providing affordable financial services to people from all walks of life. For more information, visit http://www.cuna.org.

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