Providence Federal Credit Union Forms ‘Community Impact’ Committee — With Immediate Results

When Providence Federal Credit Union recently decided to form a “Community Impact” committee to generate fundraising ideas and find ways to make a difference in the lives of its neighbors, nearly half of the credit union’s 22 employees signed up. And they didn’t waste any time.

“Our neighbor, Clackamas Fire District #1, recognized the great need to give toys and food baskets to those less fortunate,” says Kelly Hottenroth, Providence Federal’s collections officer and chair of the Community Impact committee. “Not only did our employees give to their Operation Santa Claus, but the credit union also donated $460 to purchase additional gifts for the families.”

Two large gift baskets — one with a Portland Trail Blazers theme, the other with a ski theme — were raffled just before Christmas. “Our members loved the baskets,” says Shirley Cate, Providence Federal’s president and CEO. “But more importantly, they loved helping us raise money for our charitable funds program.”

That program helped Providence Federal sponsor and donate $20,000 to the Providence Child Center Foundation Radiothon, which supports critical care, therapy services and programming for non-verbal children at the Providence Center for Medically Fragile Children. The 12-hour radiothon on 106.7 FM raised more than $121,500.

Cate took to the airwaves to challenge other credit unions and banks to make donations. She also promised $50 VISA gift cards to the first 10 callers who pledged at least $100.

“It was a day filled with generosity and inspirational stories,” Cate says, “and the ringing of phones was definitely music to my ears. Providence Federal Credit Union is grateful to once again be the Phone Bank sponsor. Our employees not only had a blast taking calls from listeners, but they also generously opened their own pocketbooks. It was clearly a feel-good day for us.”