Freedom Credit Union announces community donation of $55,000 for coronavirus crisis
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Freedom Credit Union (FCU), headquartered in Springfield and serving members in the four counties of western Massachusetts, announced their donation of $55,000, to be dispersed among several community organizations that are at the frontlines of the local fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The coronavirus crisis has required that the entire community come together in response,” said FCU President and CEO Glenn Welch. “At Freedom, we wanted to honor those organizations that are at the center of the community response and contribute to the resources they need to help others during the pandemic.”
FCU announced that the following slate of organizations will receive a portion of the $55,000 donation:
- Baystate Health Foundation
- Mercy Medical Center
- Cooley Dickinson Health Care
- Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
- Hampshire Hospitality Group, whose Hampshire County Heroes feed the first responders in Hampshire County
- Feed the Fight, an initiative of Peter Pan Bus Lines and area restaurants to feed health care workers and first responders in the community
Welch indicated that FCU will continue to assist the community throughout the duration of the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to these community donations, Welch said that FCU has offered resources to its individual members intended to provide financial assistance or relief during the crisis, including their online banking services and their new Freedom Relief Loan. This loan provides up to $10,000 to members dealing with consequences of the pandemic, including layoffs, furloughs or bills.
FCU’s Skip-A-Pay program allows members with a consumer loan—auto, mortgage, home equity, home improvement—to defer payments up to 90 days. Members should contact their local branch for details. FCU can also work with member businesses needing financial relief on their specific circumstances. Business members should speak with the Member Business Lending department. For contact information, please visit freedom.coop.
“Community and member support is a central tenet of Freedom’s work,” said Welch. “And there’s never been a more important time to give back. We’re grateful for the courageous and critical work being done by doctors, nurses, EMTs and other first responders, as well as everyday heroes like grocery and restaurant workers, mail carriers and delivery people. They are truly essential and appreciated, and we’re proud to join this effort to assist the entire community at a time of great need.”
For information about the services offered by Freedom Credit Union, visit freedom.coop.
About Freedom Credit Union
Originally chartered in 1922 as the Western Massachusetts Telephone Workers Credit Union and renamed in 2004, Freedom Credit Union is an 11-branch, full-service financial institution. Today, membership is available to anyone who lives, works or attends school in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin or Berkshire counties in Massachusetts, and Hartford or Tolland counties in Connecticut. Offering a complete range of banking services and loan products, Freedom Credit Union has conveniently located Massachusetts branches in Chicopee, Easthampton, Feeding Hills, Greenfield, Ludlow, Northampton, Turners Falls, West Springfield and three in Springfield, including the Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy branch. For more information, visit freedom.coop.
Freedom Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Shares and deposits in excess of NCUA limits are fully insured by the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation (MSIC). Equal housing lender. NMLS #478769.