MARLBOROUGH, Mass.–Credit unions in the Pioneer Valley Chapter have once again come together to support “A Bed for Every Child,” an initiative of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless (Coalition). Earlier this season in 2018, the Chapter raised $19,671 to provide 78 children growing up in poverty within the Chapter’s region a chance at a good night’s sleep.
In 2017, the Chapter raised funds to donate 52 beds and this year was determined to increase their donations.
The most recent delivery of 30 beds was made for the Springfield Public School (SPS) system in Springfield, Mass.
Chapter officials, credit union CEOs, and Cooperative Credit Union Association (CCUA) staff welcomed local dignitaries for the beds’ arrival, including Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and Stephanie Sanabria, City Connects coordinator, who distributes the beds throughout the school system. “A Bed for Every Child” Program Director Tina Giarla from the Coalition was on hand as well for the special delivery.
“I thank all the credit unions that participated in this and raised money for beds for school-age children in our communities,” said Mayor Sarno.
Giarla shared her story of being a homeless youth and not having a bed of her own. “Getting a bed of my own was the most wonderful thing to me. Having the chance to get a good night’s sleep, pursue an education, and begin breaking the cycle of poverty for myself made a difference for me in my life. It led me to the Coalition,” said Giarla.
The highlight of the hour for Chapter President James Wage from UMassFive College Federal Credit Union (Amherst); Chapter Treasurer Kara Herman from Freedom Credit Union (Springfield); credit union CEOs David Plantier, MassMutual Federal Credit Union (Springfield) and Richard Kump, UMassFive College Federal Credit Union; Lee Craig from MassMutual Federal Credit Union; Dean Martino and Donna Bevilacqua from CCUA was loading bed frames, mattresses, bedding (pillows/comforters), and books from the Coalition’s truck into the trucks and SUVs of four families from Springfield, Chicopee and Holyoke that were in immediate need of seven beds.
Those seven children had their first night of many sweet dreams in their own beds all thanks to the credit unions in the Pioneer Valley Chapter!
The group then carried the remainder of the shipment into the temporary storage located at the Springfield Department of Public Works until the beds can be distributed. Later in the day, three more beds were distributed to a family in great need.
“A Bed for Every Child is a great example of the credit union’s mission of People Helping People. I thank all the credit unions involved for an event that has such meaning. Our daily lives are so busy and at times, it’s easy to forget that some families and children do not have the basic necessities such as a bed. Our Chapter’s goal for the upcoming year will be to break this year’s donation and raise funds for 100 beds,” said James Wage, President, Pioneer Valley Chapter representing the UMassFive College Federal Credit Union, Amherst, Mass., one of the credit unions raising money for A Bed for Every Child.
Participating credit unions in the region that provided funds for the 78 beds include: Arrha Credit Union, Springfield; Freedom Credit Union, Springfield; Holyoke Credit Union, Holyoke; MassMutual Federal Credit Union, Springfield; Pioneer Valley Credit Union, Springfield; Premier Source Credit Union, East Longmeadow; UMassFive College Federal Credit Union, Amherst; and West Springfield Federal Credit Union, West Springfield; all members of the Cooperative Credit Union Association’s Massachusetts Pioneer Valley Chapter.