American Eagle Financial Credit Union Announces Fourth Quarter Recipients of Cash Back to the Community Program
EAST HARTFORD, CONN. – January 7, 2021 – American Eagle Financial Credit Union (AEFCU) today announced the recipients of nearly $24,078 in donations from its participatory funding program, Cash Back to the Community.
Nonprofit organizations Healing Meals Community Project of Bloomfield, Dog Star Rescue of Bloomfield and Farmington Friends of Music of Farmington each received a donation of $8,026 for earning the most votes in AEFCU’s fourth quarter Cash Back to the Community program. The latest round of nominations and voting featured the most participation since the program was first established one year ago—with 168 local organizations nominated and over 5,000 votes of support submitted.
Throughout 2020, AEFCU donated one percent one percent of its credit and debit card interchange income to three nonprofit and/or 501(c)(3) organizations each quarter through the Cash Back to the Communityprogram. Funding for the program is generated each time its members use an American Eagle Financial Credit Union credit or debit card. At the end of each quarter, one percent of the total interchange income – the fee paid for credit and debit card transactions – is being distributed to the three top qualified nonprofits as voted on by a combination of the Credit Union’s members and the public.
In total, AEFCU donated $86,425 to 12 local nonprofit organizations in 2020.
“When we kicked off Cash Back to the Community at the start of 2020 no one knew how challenging the coming year would be for nonprofit organizations,” said Dean Marchessault, president and CEO of American Eagle Financial Credit Union. “Each of our recipients make a difference in our members’ communities every single day, and as Connecticut’s largest community-focused credit union we’re thrilled that we were able to support these deserving organizations and connect our members and the public to our philanthropic efforts.
“The response to this program has been overwhelming and participation continues to grow at an amazing rate—so I’m very happy to announce that American Eagle will be continuing with the Cash Back to the Community program in 2021,” Marchessault announced.
Healing Meals Community Project of Bloomfield provides healthy organic meals to people in a health crisis while fostering compassion and empowering youth and adult volunteers in our communities. “We are thrilled and honored to be a recipient of the American Eagle Financial Credit Union’s Cash Back to the Community program for the fourth quarter,” said Sarah Leathers, founder & CEO of Healing Meals Community Project. “These funds will provide much-needed meals to clients and their family members, as well as grocery bags full of nutritional staples and fresh produce. We are grateful to community members that voted for us and appreciate our friend, Regina Gilden for nominating us.” To learn more about Healing Meals Community Project, visit healingmealproject.org.
Dog Star Rescue of Bloomfield saves stray, abandoned, shelter and owner surrendered dogs of all breeds and ages by placing them in qualified, caring, lifelong homes. “A donation like this helps Dog Star Rescue in so many ways,” said Dan McCabe, president of Dog Star Rescue. “It will help us further our mission of saving and rehoming dogs, and it will help us with the facility costs that come from running an all-volunteer operation as well as feeding the dogs we care for. This is an awesome way to cap off a crazy year—it has really boosted the spirits of our entire organization.” To learn more about Dog Star Rescue, visit dogstarrescue.org.
Farmington Friends of Music is a non-profit organization created by supporters of Farmington Public Schools music students. Its mission is to promote the necessity of music education in Farmington Schools, enhance music education and support music educational opportunities for its schools and community. “We thank American Eagle Financial Credit Union for this wonderful opportunity,” said Leslie A. Isme, music department chair of Farmington High School. “This year, with the pandemic and financial crisis, we have had more needs in our schooled than ever before. The money donated from the Cash Back to the Community program will directly support students in need of musical instruments, allowing them to participate or continue to participate in our music program.“ To learn more about Farmington Friends of Music, visit fpsct.org/beyond-the-classroom/music/friends-of-music.
In addition to its latest recipients, other 2020 Cash Back to the Community organizations have included:
- Early Childhood Collaborative in Southington
- Enfield Community Cat Project of Enfield
- Friends of Feeney of West Hartford
- Furry Animals Bring Saved Rescue in Tolland
- Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford in Hartford
- Roaring Brook Nature Center of Canton
- Senior Job Bank of Greater Hartford in West Hartford
- Transitional Learning Center Foundation of Manchester
- Quinnipiac University Dance Marathon in Hamden
Established in 1935, American Eagle Financial Credit Union (AEFCU) is a full-service credit union offering checking and savings accounts, credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, business accounts and more. American Eagle offers banking online, through its mobile app, or at one of its 15 branches located in Connecticut. AEFCU has more than 160,000 members, over $2.1 billion in assets, and offers banking services to anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Hartford, Middlesex, Tolland, and New Haven County in Connecticut, and Hampden County in Massachusetts. For more information about American Eagle Financial Credit Union, visit www.americaneagle.org.