Seventeen regional credit unions and credit union partners jointly raised more than $220,000 to collectively purchase and donate 30,000 Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”) medical gowns to healthcare facilities throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

Representatives from the contributing credit unions came together at the American Heritage CU’s main campus in Philadelphia Wednesday to pack the PPE materials into a fleet of vehicles from all contributing credit unions.

The 30,000 gowns were then distributed by each credit union to dozens of local hospitals, skilled nursing centers, and other healthcare facilities.

Pennsylvania and New Jersey have been among the hardest hit states during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Many local credit unions have historically partnered with hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and other healthcare centers as Workplace Partners/Sponsored Employee Groups.

With a recent increase in positive COVID-19 cases, credit unions are working diligently to provide additional support for their members who work in their partner healthcare facilities.

“Credit unions are financial cooperatives owned by their members and active contributors in our local communities,” said Patrick Conway, president/CEO of the CrossState Credit Union Association. “The actions of these credit unions throughout Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania offer a prime example of how credit unions work cooperatively in communities throughout the region in addition to being the best financial services option for consumers.” CrossState Credit Union Association is of the largest regional credit union trade associations in the country, providing advocacy, resources, and solutions for 519 credit unions across New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

“For many years, we have worked with local hospitals to raise millions for their pediatric therapy programs. We recently donated 50,000 PPE facemasks to our local hospital partners. Many local hospitals have told their credit union partners that they are still in need of PPE gowns as they continue to help our region recover, and it is our duty to help them,” said Bruce K. Foulke, American Heritage president/CEO (Pennsylvania).

“As the largest credit union serving New Jersey's frontline healthcare workers, we're especially appreciative of our sister credit unions in Pennsylvania stepping up to the plate at this critical time. Their generosity is a classic example of the credit union people helping people philosophy is action,” said John Dawidowski, president/CEO of Healthcare Employees FCU (New Jersey).

“It is an honor to partner with our fellow credit unions from Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  Credit unions truly represent the gift of giving and we are pleased to help so many special people who are on the front lives and saving lives,” stated Maurice W. Dawkins, president/CEO of American Spirit FCU (Delaware).

The following local credit unions contributed and donated gowns as part of this effort:

• American Heritage Credit Union (Pa.)
• American Spirit Federal Credit Union (Del.)
• Belco Community Credit Union (Pa.)
• Citadel Credit Union (Pa.)
• Discovery Federal Credit Union (Pa.)
• Eagle One Federal Credit Union (Del.)
• First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union (Pa.)
• Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union (Pa.)
• Freedom Credit Union (Pa.)
• Healthcare Employees Federal Credit Union (N.J.)
• Penn East Federal Credit Union (Pa.)
• Service 1^st Federal Credit Union (Pa.)
• Sun East Federal Credit Union (Pa.)
• Trumark Financial Credit Union (Pa.)
• West-Aircomm Federal Credit Union (Pa.)
• CrossState Credit Union Association (Representing Pa. and N.J. credit unions)
• First Heritage Mortgage Services – a Credit Union Service Organization
• Shields Business Solutions