Polish & American Credit Unions are allies for Ukrainian refugees.
On February 26th, Susan Mitchell, Underground Founder and Zach Christensen of MSA joined a peace march on the lawn across from the White House, with people wrapped in Ukrainian flags, singing “give peace a chance” and pushing Americans to stand up, denounce the war. “It was a sobering moment for me and a first for Zach,” stated Susan, “It felt personal as I had traveled to Ukraine just a few years ago to work with the people there on a field project and to establish a GWLN Sister Society.”
“It was a sobering moment for me and a first for Zach. It felt personal as I had traveled to Ukraine just a few years ago to work with the people there on a field project and to establish a GWLN Sister Society.”
Susan Mitchell
Worldwide Foundation leaders activated quickly by announcing the Ukrainian Displacement Fund on February 27th so credit unions could immediately donate to help the people of Ukraine. Record numbers of people are getting involved and as a Board member of the foundation, we are giving time, fundraising and making personal donations to support the Worldwide Foundation efforts in Ukraine.
Soon thereafter, the mass bombings started and we watched the tragic events unfolding. Millions of Ukrainian refugees (mostly women and children) were escaping into Poland. On March 3rd, our Underground team reached out to thought leaders and asked how we can take action. Susan talked to an expert in these matters, Dr. Brian Branch, recently retired as CEO of WOCCU, to get his thoughts. There was a discussion about going to Poland, being on the ground to learn more first-hand. Brian connected with credit union allies in Poland and Bruce Foulke, CEO of American Heritage Credit Union, who immediately offered to sponsor the trip. On March 13th, these two credit union leaders arrived on the ground in Poland, (Bruce with humanitarian supplies from his credit union), to research the situation and meet with governmental / credit union leaders.
“It became a collaboration for all of us to take action when we learned that Polish credit unions were directly providing critical care, housing and safety for Ukrainian refugees,” stated Susan Mitchell, Founder of the Underground, “It is a dangerous time and Rafal Matsuiak, president of Poland’s CU trade association, the National Association of Co-operative Savings and Credit Unions (NACSCU) was leading the effort to set up a fund for the Polish credit unions on the frontline of the rescue.” The urgency and purpose were profoundly presented when Rafal Matsuiak and other credit union leaders broadcasted live from Lublin, Poland less than 100 miles from the border of Ukraine to an Underground group of American credit union leaders. On March 17th we learned that Ukrainian refugees are being safely taken into credit union employee and member’s homes, no camps, and being given assistance, care, and safety. We heard from a few of the refugee women who shared their harrowing experience and fear for their husbands, brothers, and families who remain in Ukraine. Polish credit unions were coming together and looking for support from American credit unions to create a path forward for the Ukrainian refugees. “Many organizations are working to provide relief,” Brian Branch noted, “But what makes credit unions different is that they must work to elevate the refugees from relief to economic and financial stability.”
On March 18th, the Underground launched a website landing page for the Polish American Credit Union Support initiative to begin to communicate the situation and the need for direct, credit union to credit union, support. On March 25th, the Polish America Credit Union Support fund began formally accepting donations that will go directly to credit unions who are on the frontline with millions of Ukrainian refugees who escaped the violence. Personal and organizational donations via direct wires began immediately.
On March 31st, Kinecta Federal Credit Union Board Chair, Jeffry Yonemura, stated, “We are taking action because this is the time for all credit unions to come together, demonstrating the power of the credit union community.” Yonemura continued, “It is with pride that I announce that our Board of Directors, wired $50,000 USD directly to the Polish American CU Support Fund and it is already being used to help the Ukrainian refugees we met during the broadcast from Lublin.”
During the webinar on March 17th, many of you met two representatives of the refugee families in Lublin assisted by Chmielewski Credit Union. The Fund has assisted the credit union in finding a house to rent for these families of refugees … a house not an apartment so that they can help each other watch over the children while others find work. Community residents have come forward with several offers. One of these mothers arrived in Poland pregnant and this past week gave birth. Your support has ensured that this baby will have a safe home in this time of crisis. – Rafal Matsuiak, President of NACSCU
Just like Kinecta, many Board members and CEOs are donating: Santa Cruz Community, American Heritage, Eagle Community, Marquetta and Bob White (OneAZ), Sue and Mike Stankovic, Steve Stapp and others. In less than 7 days there is over $80,000 USD and more to come from the collaboration between Polish credit unions and US credit unions. Weekly updates are being posted on the landing page.
Bruce Foulke is leading the way to purchase ambulances. “Brian and I met with government officials and Polish and Ukrainian Credit Union association staff to understand how we could help and who we could help. Among the numerous requests was the need for 500 ambulances to get the wounded and sick refugees out of the war area and to Polish hospitals. The cost of a local ambulance will be around US $75,000,” declared Bruce. “These are not high-end vehicles; they serve as transports with basic medical equipment on board. I am asking and challenging the industry to provide a lifesaving donation to assist in the purchase of two ambulances.” More to come from Bruce…
When you ask yourself how you can make a difference, think of Rafal and the Polish credit unions! They are at the epicenter during these perilous times on many levels including having US troops there to protect NATO territory. Polish American CU Support Fund represents our true purpose: people helping people. Thank you to all the thought leaders and donors who on short notice decided to take action, CU to CU, helping credit unions in Poland support Ukrainian victims of war! The power of community!
Click here to learn more. Please send us your personal stories and share out the website link because this is truly a grassroots effort and we need each of you to help us “GSD” directly, credit unions to credit unions.
To wire funds today, please go to the Polish American CU Support Fund.