Pictured above: Pastor Darian Venerable of Upward Call Church and one of the 65 recipients of ACCU's "year-end blessings" totaling nearly $100,000.
Pictured above: ACCU Staff members bestowing David & Margaret Youth and Family Services with gifts for foster youth.
Glendora, CA, 1/2/2019 — America’s Christian Credit Union (ACCU) is entering its seventh decade serving nearly 150,000 members, closed out 2018 with blessings in donated blood, Christmas gifts for foster youth and nearly $100,000 in random acts of kindness in a charity program it affectionately calls “year-end blessings.”
ACCU partnered with Foothill Credit Union (FCU) to host a joint blood drive in support of the City of Hope Medical Center. In the spirit of collaboration and joint community awareness, ACCU and FCU were able to enlist enough volunteers to meet the capacity of their blood drive. The end result was nearly 70 willing donors, and 49 units of blood collected. “These 49 units [of blood] will help an estimated 147 patients at City of Hope,” said Cynthia Rochin, COH’s Blood Drive & Recruitment Coordinator. In addition to the 147 patients assisted, an estimated cost savings of over $12,000 was realized for City of Hope when compared to the purchase price of the units of blood donated.
Another expression of love was expressed by ACCU staff teaming up with David & Margaret Youth and Family Services to provide much needed Christmas gifts to over 100 foster youth ranging in age from 12-24 years old in Southern California. “Wow…. I can’t believe the generosity. ACCU truly went above and beyond in donating so many gifts to these youth. There will be a lot of smiling faces this Christmas,” said Noemy Maciel of the David & Margaret organization, who, upon pickup, was greeted at ACCU headquarters with cheers and smiling faces from the staff.
Building further on ACCU’s commitment to its mission, the credit union’s Board of Directors authorized monetary gifts of $1,500 apiece to dozens of churches, ministries, and non-profits whose missions and good works in their communities merited recognition and support. This year-end blessing campaign totaling nearly $100,000 – dubbed “Random Acts of Kindness” – was made possible by ACCU’s strong financial performance and healthy bottom line.
All in all, a total of 65 entities received a surprise miracle from this campaign. Just before Christmas, a check for $1,500 was issued to each of the 65. In many cases, the check was hand-delivered by the person who had put the organization’s name into nomination. The various entities on the receiving end responded with a combination of shock, gratitude, and tears. The element of surprise clearly added to the impact. “I am just speechless” said pastor Darian Venerable of Upward Call Church “Thank you so much; I am totally surprised. This is unbelievable and so generous and so unexpected,” continued Pastor Darian. Another recipient – Shannon Inouye, Executive Director of Options, A Women’s Care Center – was taken aback smiling ear to ear when learning of the organization’s nomination, Inouye exclaimed “This is too cool! The timing is perfect. God is so good!”
“To say that ACCU had an impact-filled year is an understatement. ACCU has truly been blessed with amazing members and staff who are filled with a conviction to serve and bless others,” said ACCU’s President/CEO Mendell L. Thompson. “We look forward to continuing to reach, serve, and teach in 2019 and in the years to come.”