Thank You for Helping Our Communities Recover

It’s been a little over a month since Michigan was hit with one of the most severe ice storms in recent memory, impacting more than 100,000 residents in one way or another. As we all know, these storms are about more than downed power lines and icy roads; they disrupt lives. This one was no different, causing added stress, unexpected costs and sometimes real hardship.

I wanted to take a moment to update you on our movement’s incredible efforts, which resulted in about $358,000 in grants for credit union members, employees and volunteers affected by the disaster. Thanks to the generosity of Michigan’s credit union community and national partners, meaningful relief reached those who needed it most. 

Last week, disbursements were completed for two separate support efforts.

The Ice Storm Relief Fund, created to support credit union members affected by the storm, provided $500 emergency grants to help ease the burden of cleanup and recovery. In total, $87,000 was collected from Michigan donors, including 23 credit unions, three chapters, two partners and several individual donors. Those donations funded 174 grants to individuals across eight credit unions.

Applications came in quickly — 836 in total! — and funding was distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to members whose primary residence was in one of the 12 disaster-declared counties and who demonstrated financial hardship directly caused by the storm.

At the same time, CUAid, the National Credit Union Foundation’s disaster relief program, stepped in to support the credit union professionals who were also hit hard. These grants were designed to help credit union employees and volunteers recover personally by reimbursing them for storm-related expenses.

The impact there was significant as well. A total of 227 employees and volunteers from nine credit unions submitted applications. Together, they reported more than $542,000 in out-of-pocket costs tied to cleanup and recovery. CUAid provided $270,789 in grant funding to help offset those expenses and ease the financial strain.

We’ve heard so many heartfelt thank-yous from both members and staff who appreciate that our movement has their back. This storm has been a challenging time for residents, and we know some of its impacts will be felt for a long while. But once again, I am reminded through this difficult experience that credit unions are more than financial institutions. We are a network of people who look out for one another, whether across the street or across the state.

To every credit union, chapter, partner and individual who contributed, thank you! Your donations provided hope and critical support at a time when it was needed most.

Thank you for showing what it means to be part of this credit union family.

Thanks for reading.

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