Individual credit unions will respond in various ways to this disaster, many choosing to fulfill the day-to-day needs of their members. Here is a list of credit unions that personify the “people helping people” philosophy because of their own efforts.  Keep checking back to see what credit unions are doing across the state.

AAA FCU, South Bend
Flag pins
AAA FCU has flag-shaped lapel pins available to members in exchange for a $2 donation.  Proceeds will be given to CUnited.

Capital Plus CU, Indianapolis
Thanking officers at home -- challenge issued
In Indianapolis, Capital Plus CU decided to give some attention to the police and firefighters closer to home. Credit union staff created goodie baskets filled with cookies, treats and thank-you cards, which were signed by staff members. Representatives of the credit union delivered them to west district police officers and to firefighters at the station that services the credit union’s office. According to President/CEO Lamoura Munse, “We just don’t appreciate our safety officers enough.” She added that her credit union is challenging other credit unions to support their hometown officers and firefighters in similar ways, adding, “I wish you could have seen their faces--we just had a ball!” The $110 the credit union spent on the two baskets was well spent, knowing what a difference they had made to these safety workers.

Chiphone FCU, Elkhart
Chiphone FCU set up canisters to raise money for disaster relief and raised $4,026 for the Elkhart County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Staff members showed their patriotic spirit by purchasing American flag t-shirts, which they wore on Fridays through October.

Drover Street FCU, Indianapolis
Patriotic bake sale
This Indianapolis credit union had a bake sale on the Friday after the attacks. Employees determined the details on Thursday with one staff member using her lunch hour to go out and buy matching patriotic T-shirts for the 19 staff members. Some employees brought home-baked goods to the sale, others purchased them. These efforts netted $1,000, which was donated to the American Red Cross and Fraternal Order of Police.

Elkhart County Farm Bureau CU, Goshen
Multiple projects
This credit union is managing several projects, each of which is summarized below.

In exchange for a $2 donation, members get an American flag pin. Profits go to general relief. Drive up Days are October 11, 12 and 13. They will be seeking donations and offering flag pins specifically in drive-up areas.

"God Bless America" t-shirts are available in exchange for a donation. Credit union staff members who have the t-shirts are able to wear them to work on Fridays and Saturdays, at least through the end of October.

Staff members made donation boxes for branch offices. Funds will go to The American Red Cross; The Salvation Army; NYPD and NYFD.

The credit union is assisting The American Red Cross in its area with upcoming blood drives--donating and delivering the 34 cases of soft drinks and 12 cases of juice which will be given to donors. Member "coupons" have been made for five blood drives in the service area. For each member coupon that results in a donated pint of blood, the credit union will donate $5 toward disaster relief.

For every Visa account opened between October 1 and December 15, the credit union will donate $10 toward disaster relief.

During International Credit Union Week, the credit union will really celebrate the "People Helping People" philosophy. Area representatives of donation recipients -- Salvation Army, Red Cross, Police & Firefighters are invited to the offices and one group will be featured daily, Monday-Thursday. International Credit Union Day will be celebrated at all 6 offices on Friday, October 19—it’s their busiest day—They’ve rented popcorn poppers and will serve fresh popped popcorn, soft drinks or apple cider and encourage donations. Decorations will be patriotic.

The credit union’s check vendor provides a style called “Pride of America” One dollar from each order will be donated to disaster relief.

Evansville Teachers FCU, Evansville
Veterans Day recognition
Stop by the credit union between November 5 and 10 for a free American flag decal. These are perfect for home or office and will be distributed just in time for Veterans Day, November 11.

Finance Center FCU, Indianapolis
President Roger Youngs recorded a public service announcement which ran on Indianapolis radio stations in prime time in the weeks following the tragedy. Listen

This credit union will be raising money during International Credit Union Week in all of its branches. It will be distributing red, white and blue pencils with flags attached to them on October 18th, Credit Union Day.

A FCFCU employee made red, white & blue ribbons available to staff members for a donation to the WTC tragedy. She raised $391.10 and presented it to the Lawrence Fire Department to forward with other donations to the American Red Cross.

The Greenfield branch put out a donation canister and asked for donations to be sent to the New York Fallen Firefighters Fund.

They asked people if they wanted to donate their change back from the checks they were cashing in the drive-up window. One lady wrote out a $100.00 check toward this cause. This branch raised $520.00 and presented a check to the Greenfield Fire Department to be sent to the New York Fallen Firefighters Fund.

FORUM CU, Fishers
Donor Match:
At the Member Service Fair on Saturday, September 23, FORUM CU collected donations from members which were matched dollar for dollar by FORUM. More than $3,500 was collected from members making FORUM’s total contribution $7,000.  The funds will be presented to the American Red Cross.

Online contributions:
Additionally, the credit union is making it possible for members to make a donation via home banking. Money may be transferred from savings or checking accounts until October 15. FORUM CU members can find instructions on CU Online.

Greater Indianapolis Firefighters CU, Indianapolis
This credit union is cooperating with Indianapolis Metropolitan Firefighters Local #416 to collect donations for the families of the fallen members of the New York Fire Department. They are getting "hardly any change, very few ones," according to President Kenny Hansome. Donations are being received in large denomination bills, checks and funds transfers from member accounts. Donors receive static-cling American flags in exchange for their donations. In addition to donation jars set up at the credit union and fire stations, the credit union took donations during a car show where the Greenfield Fire Department was a participant. To date, the credit union has collected $57,000.

Indiana State University FCU, Terre Haute
Indiana State University FCU held a bake sale to raise money for CUnited.  The majority of the employees volunteered their time and donated some sort of baked item.  A beautiful American flag cake was also offered for sale.  More than $100 was raised at this event last month.

Indiana University EFCU, Bloomington
Winslow Branch efforts- Employee Giving
These employees took on several projects to raise money for the September 11 Fund.

• On Thursday, September 20 the office held a pitch-in lunch, asking employees who wished to partake in the festivities to donate what they would usually spend on going out to eat.
• At the lunch a drawing was held for an oriental vase, with participants donating $1.
• An employee who worked previously as a chef, offered to purchase the ingredients and cook a gourmet meal for the winner and their department a $2 drawing was held for this prize.

These efforts alone brought in $560, which was donated by the credit union to the September 11 Fund.

Additionally, the credit union has established a prominent link from the homepage of its Website to the Bloomington Chapter of the Red Cross, making it easier for credit union members to donate online.

KEMBA Indianapolis CU, Indianapolis
The credit union is using its button machine to create "dress down" buttons.  Employees can purchase a dress down button with the CUnited logo and the text "I'm dressing down for CUnited.  Would you like to help?"  The employees pay $10 to purchase the button and it gives them the option to wear a patriotic shirt and jeans on Fridays through the end of October.  The credit union's donations will be forwarded in November.

Members Advantage CU, Michigan City
A banner day
This credit union has created a 3' x 8' banner in red, white & blue with a picture of the American Flag and Statue of Liberty on it. They have invited members, city officials, the press, and those in the community to come donate and sign the banner expressing thanks and well wishes to New York City and its governmental workers, including FDNY and NYPD.

This Friday, September 28, the banner will be available for Michigan City officials to sign. The media has been notified of this signing ceremony. Credit union members will be able to sign the banner on Monday, October 1.  Then during International Credit Union Week, October 15-19, the banner will be on display for members to sign, along with a donation jar.  All proceeds will be sent to the Twin Tower Disaster Relief Fund, which will benefit the fire department, police department, port authority and other various government workers of New York.

MidWest America FCU, Fort Wayne
Canisters were placed at teller windows at all 13 branches for one week to collect donations for CUnited.  Both employees and members contributed. A check for $2,152.39 has been donated. The credit union submitted two heartwarming stories related to this fundraising:

One branch manager reported that a youngster came into her branch and cashed his "lawn mowing" check for $20 and promptly deposited $10 into the canister. Another branch manager reports than one of her "regulars" decided to deposit his usual "fun money" cash back from his paycheck into a canister--$118!

Modine Teledyne FCU, LaPorte
Modine Teledyne FCU placed donation canisters in its offices and is offering candles for sale to raise funds for CUnited.

MPI Coin Program
The League and MPI, the distributor of collector coins for ICUPAC, are partners in a fundraising program that will benefit CUnited and the American Red Cross.  A commemorative coin depicting the New York skyline with the World Trade Center Towers is being offered.  Another coin, which shows the now-famous scene of firefighters raising the American flag, is also available.  Orders for the coins will be taken through Dec. 31 or while supplies last.  As of Nov. 21, there were 26 credit unions participating in the coin program.  Their efforts should yield more than $9,000 in donations to CUnited.

Natco CU, Richmond
Fountain of Freedom
There are actual fountains set up in all three credit union branches.  The fountains were designed and donated by the credit union's contractor.  The credit union prepared signs for the fountains using the CUnited logo and will be matching $2 for every $1 donated by employees up to $1,000.

Online access:  There is a banner ad on the credit union's Web site.  Donations can be accepted here as well as via e-mail and phone.

Portland Forge EFCU, Portland
Partnering with local organizations
This credit union has partnered with local Jay County organizations to collect monies for the September 11 Relief Fund. Efforts began on Sept. 14. Since then, members have donated more than $1,200. Before the credit union’s fund drive even began, a member gave $100, asking that it be sent to help the victims.

Professional FCU, Fort Wayne
Collecting for Red Cross
This credit union collected more than $1,000 in employee and credit union matching donations during the first week following the tragedy. It is still collecting. Funds are being forwarded to The American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana

Regional FCU, Hammond
Supporting New York widows and children
On Sept. 13, Regional FCU ornamented both offices with patriotic decorations and began accepting donations for the NYPD and NYFD widow's and children's fund. Within the first two hours of accepting donations, the credit union collected more online than it ever had collected for Credit Unions for Kids. By Sept. 28, Regional FCU had raised more than $3,700. Additionally, a morning prayer service was held at 8 a.m. Sept. 14 in observance of the national Day of Prayer and Remembrance.

Unicorp FCU, Whiting
Flag for Freedom
This credit union is operating "A Flag For Freedom." Half of the proceeds will go to CUnited, half will be given to the American Red Cross for the benefit of the widows and orphans of this terrible tragedy.

The "Flag for Freedom" campaign was developed by the credit union’s staff. In exchange for a $1 donation, members in the credit union’s lobby would receive a hand-held American flag. The credit union purchased 500 flags for this purpose, and began the program on Sept 13. By Sept. 21, all 500 flags were gone and $1,200 had been collected.

The credit union has set a goal of collecting $1,500 and is planning another event, which should allow them to reach it.

Warrick FCU, Newburgh
Star-spangled erfforts
The day after the Sept. 11th tragedy, the credit union began getting phone calls from staff in the branches who wanted to provide some type of assistance right away. They quickly printed red, white and blue stars and invited members to donate $1 or more to put their name on a star and hang it the lobby. As of Sept. 26, the credit union lobbies are covered with stars and more than $4,500 has been collected for the Evansville Chapter of the Red Cross. The credit union plans to continue collections until donations begin to dwindle.

W/M EFCU, Auburn
Longaberger drawing
This credit union is holding a drawing for a limited edition Longaberger basket. Members names are entered into the drawing when they make a contribution. Funds collected will be given to CUnited.

Immediately after the Sept. 11 attacks, the credit union donated $250 to general relief. The money was matched 2 to 1 by MidStates Corporate Federal Credit Union and given to a general disaster relief fund.