Charter Oak awards $400,000 to more than 270 charitable organizations
Charter Oak Federal Credit Union announced that its 2021 Matching Gifts Program has donated a total of $400,000 from the credit union and its members to 277 charitable organizations, such as food pantries and housing programs.
The Matching Gifts Program has given out nearly $2 million since its inception in 2016, the credit union said in a press release. It The credit union matches all qualified donations that its members make to nonprofit charities from August to November each year. The program matched 880 donations from members this year.
This is the fourth year in a row that Charter Oak's board of directors doubled the initial "$100,000 in 100 Days" pledge to $200,000.
"The generosity of Charter Oak's members is truly amazing, and once again they've shown how much they care about helping others — from providing funds to buy groceries for our local food pantries to providing a warm bed for those seeking shelter from the cold," Charter Oak President and CEO Brian Orenstein said in the press release.
Recipients include the New London Homeless Hospitality Center, Saint Vincent de Paul Place, Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, and Friends of Assisi Food Pantry.
Amy Kennedy, director of Wheeler Library in North Stonington, noted earlier this month that the program provides almost 10% of the library's operating budget each fall, and that the library got $14,850 this year.
She said the funds help engage kids with storytime and other programs, support the purchase of large-print books for sight-impaired people, and increase e-book and audio selections.
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