Dear Friends,
What an unhappy anniversary: one year since Russia invaded Ukraine. We responded with immediate emergency medical and supplies and ambulances to paramedic networks and hospitals in Ukraine to care for and to evacuate the ill and injured to Polish hospitals.
Millions of Ukrainian refugees arrived into Poland. Credit unions focused on how to provide a sustainable economic path to greater stability for both refugees and our receiving communities.
Refugees are largely young women and small children. Arriving refugees told us that they wanted to work to be able to support themselves and their families. Many first need stable housing. Via Stella with Polish credit unions provide rental housing grants to place refugee families in a stable home so the children can go to school and mothers can find work. We have provided rental grants for 18 families. With renewed funding we are working with credit unions to assist additional families.
Polish schools make space for Ukrainian children. Via Stella and credit unions partner with schools to provide school supplies for over 200 refugee children and support school lunch programs. Via Stella also partners with medical personnel to support women’s health services for refugees. Via Stella has opened three clinics: in Gdansk and Chojnice. Our objective isto help the refugees stabilize and engage productively in the community as quickily as possible.
Polish credit unions offer membership to Ukrainian refugees: access to payment systems and savings accounts so they can plan for their future. The refugees’ economic integration and financial stability enhances the acceptance and support between the arriving refugees and the host communities.
Meanwhile in Ukraine, Russian bomb strikes against power systems and electrical grids have left millions without electricity and heat. Via Stella has delivered 41 generators to Ukrainian community centers and shared heating points to help families survive the winter cold.
What we do with your support is provide a credit union pathway to safety: evacuation from harm’s way, opportunities for housing, education and jobs, economic and financial integration through credit union membership. This is the “Via Stella”.
Thank you for your support. Without you we could not help these people. I hope that you will continue to support us. Know that you have helped a lot of people and you have saved a lot of lives.
Rafal Matusiak, President — National Association of Cooperative Savings and Credit Unions (NACSCU)
Via Stella Foundation https://www.viastella.pl/
Funding options:
- Wires to the Via Stella Foundation
At the Via Stella website: https://www.viastella.pl/
Wire information is available to the following account:
06 1090 1098 0000 000150610882
SWIFT: WBKPPLPP
IBAN: PL061090 1098 0000 000150610882
Name of the bank: SANTANDER
Foundation name: FUNDACJA UNII KREDYTOWYCH ,,VIA STELLA”
UL. WtADYStAWA IV 22 81-743 SOPOT - Credit Card Donations:
There is a PayPal portal on the Via Stella Website; https://www.viastella.pl/ In the lower right hand, click on “PayPal Here”
Then click on “Donate with Debit or Credit Card” and enter dollar amount. - Funds can be transferred via Peach State Credit union CARES Foundation: For contributions above $1,000.
Incoming US Domestic Wire Instructions:
Intermediary Bank: NCB NA Address: 139 S High Street
Hillsboro, OH 45133 ABA # 242272227
Beneficiary Bank: Peach State Federal Credit Union Address: 1505 Lakes Parkway Suite 100
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Account# 261174759
Beneficiary (Peach State CARES Foiundation) Account Number: #7000110823606
If a doner wishes to receive a letter from the Peach State C.A.R.E.S. Foundation to acknowledge receipt of their donation for tax purposes, please provide their contact information. Doners can also contact the Foundation Officers via email at CARESfoundation@peachstatefcu.org or direct email at dhoulis@peachstatefcu.org.