Staff Reports
The Centra Foundation and Centra Credit Union are offering an opportunity for community members to support local children in need through local organizations.
Instead of buying gifts, Centra members and visitors will be able to make a financial donation online or at a credit union location. The local organizations will use the donations to purchase gifts for the children in need.
Donations will be accepted in Centra locations and online through PayPal through Dec. 11. That includes the Seymour branch at 520 S. Jackson Park Drive.
Centra also will be matching donations given today (Giving Tuesday) at 25 cents on the dollar up to a total Centra contribution of $2,500.
“Our members and community supporters have helped more than 2,500 families over the past eight years of the Holiday Giving Program,” said Jenni Carr, community involvement officer for Centra. “After a challenging couple of years, we really want to bring the gift of joy to children this season. Our generous members and supporters help make that possible.”
Donations collected at Centra locations will support the local organization(s) in that community. Locally, the Seymour branch supports Fraternal Order of Police Donald M. Winn Lodge 108’s Cops and Kids program, which pairs law enforcement officers with local kids for a shopping experience in December at Walmart Supercenter in Seymour.
Members who donate online can leave a note indicating which community they would like to support. A list of the supported organizations can be found at centra.org/centra-foundation-holiday-giving.
“The Holiday Giving Program gives Centra members the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others,” said Rick Silvers, president and chief executive officer of Centra. “I look forward to this program every year and am inspired by the generosity of our members and team members. Every dollar raised provides for a child in need and truly exemplifies the Credit Union mission of ‘People Helping People.’”
The Centra Foundation is the charitable arm of Centra Credit Union and was formed to extend the credit union’s mission. The foundation is centered on caring and aims to support charitable efforts that help meet the needs of communities where Centra members live and work.
Centra Credit Union is a community-based full-service financial institution with 24 branch locations throughout central and southern Indiana and in Jamestown, New York, and Whitakers, North Carolina.