Vermont’s rich history is being carefully preserved by the dedicated staff and volunteers at the Vermont Historical Society. A recent $5,000 contribution from VSECU to the society’s Saving Vermont’s Treasures campaign will support their efforts to create three new gallery spaces in the Vermont History Center, located in an historical landmark, the Spaulding schoolhouse in Barre.

Once the project is complete, Vermonters will gain further access to their heritage through a Barre Heritage Gallery, a Special Exhibition Gallery and a Special Collections Gallery.

Exhibitions planned for these galleries will focus on “Vermonters in the Civil War,” “Vermont’s Quilt Legacy,” and “James Hope,” an artist from Castleton, Vermont.

The Vermont History Center welcomes 2,350 visitors each year who seek out Vermont’s story in the words, pictures and artifacts housed in the center. VSECU is proud to support the preservation of Vermont’s historical legacy, respectfully maintained for generations to come.

For more about the Vermont Historical Society and its efforts, visit www.vermonthistory.org.

Top photo: Judy Rosenstreich, member of VSECU’s Board of Directors and chair of the Charitable Giving Committee, presents a $5,000 contribution to Mark Hudson, executive director of the Vermont Historical Society.

Bottom photo: Rosenstreich and Hudson examine a picture in the Vermont History Center’s archives, housed in a temperature-controlled vault. Behind them can be seen rolls of quilts, carefully preserved.

Home Share Now and VSECU Partner To Help Vermonters Lower Fuel Costs This Winter

In response to growing environmental concerns, Home Share Now is expanding its mission to include live-in matches for individuals motivated by “green” concerns. VSECU is endorsing this expansion with a $5,000 donation with the hope that area residents will consider home sharing to combine resources and energy usage, thus lowering individual fuel costs.

“Home Share Now not only aligns with our credit union motto of ‘people helping people’ but also our environmental mission to preserve our natural resources,” said Steve Post, VSECU’s chief executive officer. “Sharing a home makes good sense: energy resources are shared and thus conserved, and it also lowers the cost of energy use for both parties in the home. VSECU is proud to support this innovative program.”

“We’ve traditionally been thought of as a program that helps seniors stay in their homes, and that remains an important part of our mission,” observes Home Share Now Director Betsy Reid. “Now, we’re spreading the word that home sharing also offers an excellent, life affirming way for Vermonters of all ages to do their part for the environment. Home sharers can limit their environmental impact in so many ways—from combining errands to moving closer to work—while simultaneously forging wonderful friendships. It’s a great option!”

Reid says every situation is different, but pointed to the one between Cindy McCloud and Monika Gadre as an example of a “green” match. Cindy originally came to Home Share Now for help with her fuel bills, while Monika was looking for a place to live within walking distance of her office. Since they began a home share six months ago, the two women have formed a strong friendship. Cindy enjoys how much more interesting her life is now that Monika lives with her, while Monika appreciates the opportunity to learn from Cindy’s wisdom and life experience.

Being environmentally conscious is important to both women. Cindy says she “tries to have a small footprint,” and both of them walk to work. Monika contrasts her walk in the fresh air of central Vermont with her experience in her home town of Mumbai, India. There, the air quality was very poor and she had to commute two hours each way, which, she says “was such a burden. Economically and internally, it’s important to walk—it’s relaxing, and takes the stress off.”

“Matching people like Cindy and Monika is very rewarding work,” Reid says, “especially knowing it’s good for them AND the environment. We’re so grateful to VSECU for sharing our vision in such a tangible way, and look forward to a continued partnership, to the benefit of our shared community.”

VSECU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, which offers a full range of affordable financial products and services to its member owners. People eligible to join the credit union include everybody who lives or works in Vermont. For more information, call 802/800 371-5162 or visit www.vsecu.com.

Home Share Now combines traditional New England frugality with a focus on the environment, facilitating live-in matches that range from young college graduates lending a hand so Vermont seniors can stay home to Baby Boomers deciding to combine resources to live greener lives. Home Share Now is fully committed to building matches that not only meet each person’s needs but also enhance the day-to-day quality of life for participants and family members.

Home Share Now is based in Barre, and serves Washington, Lamoille and Orange counties. The Central Vermont Council on Aging is the 501©3 fiscal sponsor of the program, but Home Share Now must raise all its own funds.

Attached photo: Home share match partners Cindy McCloud and Monika Gadre walking to work.

VSECU is pleased to help a number of young people…

In recent studies, it was found that people with mental health issues…

In support of a service that has helped many elderly and disabled Vermonters…

As Vermont families struggle to make ends meet, health care often is neglected due to inadequate health insurance or no insurance at all. In response to this health care crisis, the Vermont State Employees Credit Union (VSECU) recently donated $10,000 to the Vermont Coalition of Clinics for the Uninsured to give more Vermonters access to quality health care.

“The coalition of clinics are a vital resource in Vermont’s health care system by providing medical and dental services to over 5,000 Vermonters who cannot afford adequate health insurance,” said Judy Rosenstreich, member of VSECU’s Board of Directors and chair of its Charitable Contributions Committee. “We are proud to support an effort that helps so many Vermonters obtain quality health care, regardless of their ability to pay.”

The Vermont Coalition of Clinics for the Uninsured is an association of 10 free clinic programs and two dental programs which provides free care and assistance to Vermonters without adequate medical and dental insurance. The clinics are located throughout the state and are supported by the tremendous work of volunteers, community hospitals, local fund-raising and an annual grant from the state of Vermont.

“The continuing generosity of VSECU and its members is invaluable to the clinics and the Vermonters we serve,” said Lynn Raymond-Empey, the coalition’s executive director. “In the first quarter of this fiscal year we have experienced a 34 percent increase in the number of patients we served over this same period three years ago. Unfortunately, our main funding sources have not increased since that time. The donations of organizations like the VSECU, have allowed us to continue assisting uninsured/underinsured Vermonters with accessing health care when they are in need, and helping them enroll in the Green Mountain Care programs, become insured and find a permanent primary care home.”

The coalition ’s 10 clinics include the following: Bennington Free Clinic, Bennington; The Health Assistance Program at Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington; Good Neighbor Health Clinic / Red Logan Dental Clinic, White River Junction; Health Breaks & Health Connections at Gifford Medical Center, Randolph; The Open Door Clinic, Middlebury and Vergennes; People’s Health and Wellness Clinic, Barre; Putney Walk-In Clinic, Putney; Rutland Free Clinic—Medical and Dental Clinics, Rutland; Valley Health Connections, Springfield; and Windsor Community Clinic, Windsor. For more details, visit www.vccu.net or call (802) 289-2454.

The Vermont State Employees Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, which offers a full range of affordable financial products and services to its member-owners. People eligible to join the credit union include anyone who lives or works in Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, Rutland and Washington counties, along with Vermont’s state employees and their families. For more information about VSECU, call 802/800 371-5162 or visit www.vsecu.com:

VSECU Donates $40,000 to Vermont Foodbank, Encourages Members to Contribute

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 30, 2009

Media Contact
Judy Stermer, Vermont Foodbank
802-477-4108
jstermer@vtfoodbank.org

Barre, VT— With its recent donation of $40,000 to the Vermont Foodbank, VSECU reaffirms its 16-year commitment to creating a hunger-free Vermont. This ongoing support is commendable, and goes far towards ensuring that Vermonters receive the nourishment they need for healthy lives.

Judy Rosenstreich, secretary of the VSECU Board of Directors and chair of its Community Contributions Committee, said credit union members and other Vermonters are also encouraged to partner with VSECU by making contributions to the Vermont Foodbank at VSECU branches and online at www.vsecu.com through December 31, 2009.

“We encourage all Vermonters – VSECU members and non-members alike – who are able, to take action and help prevent hunger in their communities,” she said.

“Vermont State Employees Credit Union has taken action against hunger in Vermont for nearly two decades now. VSECU is a leader in the fight against hunger in our state,” said John Sayles, chief executive officer of the Vermont Foodbank. “This donation and the sustaining support of VSECU is an outstanding example of good corporate citizenship and community partnership. We are so proud of our affiliation with the members and leadership of VSECU.”

During the last 10 months, the Vermont Foodbank has seen a 35-40 percent spike in demand for charitable food. Families and working people are struggling to make ends meet and are seeking food assistance in greater numbers than ever before.

“VSECU’s board of directors has recognized that current economic conditions make the need for food assistance in Vermont particularly urgent,” said Judy Rosenstreich. “VSECU is grateful to its members that their loyal support of our financial cooperative has allowed us to help others through this $40,000 donation to the Vermont Foodbank. Our long relationship with the Vermont Foodbank has allowed us to witness firsthand how effective they are in helping hungry Vermonters.”

About the Vermont Foodbank
Vermont Foodbank is the state’s largest hunger-relief organization, serving communities in all 14 counties of Vermont through a network of 280 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, senior centers and after-school programs. In FY2009, the Vermont Foodbank distributed nearly 7.5 million pounds of food to more than 66,000 Vermonters in need. The Vermont Foodbank, a member of Feeding America, is nationally recognized as one of the most effective and efficient nonprofits and food banks in the nation. To learn more about hunger in your community and to take action again hunger and poverty in Vermont, visit us on the web at www.vtfoodbank.org.

We are proud to support the communities and people of Vermont.

Each year VSECU allocates funds for the support of community activities and charitable causes. The CEO, the Community Contributions Committee, and the Board of Directors, acting together or independently, may allocate these funds subject to specific guidelines. Our donations vary from small amounts of $50 to larger donations of several thousand dollars. Additionally capital contributions are considered and reviewed semi-annually in April and October.

Our contributions are intended to meet the obligations for the current fiscal year and must be for a non-political, non-sectarian purpose.

The contribution must be of a tax-deductible nature directed towards a Vermont-based civic, educational, environmental, health and human services, humanitarian, heritage or arts-related purpose. Preference may be given to those organizations requesting funds whose environmental goals, activities, and ethics are consistent with the environmental mission statement adopted by the Credit Union.

Although we cannot support every request submitted, we do our best to be fair and equitable, demonstrating our commitment to allocating funds around the state to support diverse needs.

How to Apply

Send a written request with the following information:

• Name of individual or organization
• Contact person name and day time telephone number
• Proof of tax exemption if an organization
• A brief description of you or the organization
• Purpose of the funding – please be as detailed as possible
• The total amount needed to fund the purpose or project
• The amount you are requesting from VSECU to serve the purpose
• Indicate what area(s) in Vermont will be served as a result of the donation

Send to:

VSECU
Attention: VGives
P.O. Box 67
Montpelier, Vermont 05601-0067
pthompson@vsecu.com

If you have questions or want to follow up on a pending request for review you may contact Perry Thompson at 802/800 371-5162.

According to the Vermont Foodbank, 33 percent of those who visit the Foodbank find themselves choosing between buying food and paying the rent or mortgage. Thirty-eight percent must choose between food and paying for heat.