Responding with enthusiasm and generosity to a community need, the employees of America's Christian Credit Union (ACCU) raised $1,534 in a 7-day fundraising campaign for the family of 3-year-old Finley Smallwood of Corona, California.
Finley, adopted at birth, has spastic cerebral palsy and is unable to walk, is in need of a specialized surgery that would bring the hope of strengthening her legs and putting her on a path to walking on her own.
ACCU joined the fundraising campaign for Finley which was launched several months ago by her adoptive mother Christina Smallwood. Smallwood created the website DoYouDareToDance.com and invited prospective donors to build their fundraising efforts for Finley around a dancing theme. Dancing videos in Finley's honor by the Los Angeles Fire Department, KTLA Channel 5, and others have gone viral and have brought welcome attention to the cause.
"Finley is such a sweet, happy, precious child," said Mendell Thompson, President/CEO of ACCU, whose own dance moves on Finley's behalf were posted on ACCU's social media sites. "We are touched by her story, encouraged by her spirit, and happy to do our part to help raise funds for this transformative surgery. We look forward to seeing Finley again soon when she can walk into our credit union under her own power!"
America's Christian Credit Union set a goal of $1,000 and gave its employees one week to meet that fundraising target. On Wednesday, August 3, the final day of the ACCU fundraising drive, Finley and the Smallwood family, visited ACCU headquarters in Glendora. They were greeted by several dozen dancing ACCU employees, dancers from Dance Street West Studio, and community news outlets Glendora City News and San Gabriel Valley Examiner. A check for $1,534 to help the cause was presented to Finley and her family.
"We are grateful beyond words for the support of America's Christian Credit Union," said Christina Smallwood. "For dozens of individual employees to have chipped in for Finley, just within the span of one week, is extremely gratifying. Thank you for this wonderful donation, it helped push us past our goal!"