BLOG

OC Federal Credit Union’s Member-Sponsored Donation Program Yields $9,000 in Donations to Local Faith-Based Charities

OC Federal Credit Union is all about giving back to the local communities where our members live, work and pray.

This year, our over 12,000 members had a special opportunity to be in the driver’s seat when it came to giving back.

From September 1 – October 15, we asked our members to nominate a local charity they believed deserved a $1,000 donation. Our members quickly responded by submitting over 45 nominations on our website.

We’re proud to announce the nine charitable organizations we presented with a $1,000 donation, on behalf of all OC Federal Credit Union members.

Check out their websites below to learn more about the awesome – and often unnoticed – work they’re doing to help our brothers and sisters right here in Northeast Ohio.

Since 2014, OC Federal Credit Union has donated more than $950,000 in the form of grants, scholarships, and charitable contributions to Catholic parishes and schools, plus donations to faith-based nonprofit organizations.

Cleveland Christian Home / Cleveland

Member nomination by Joseph LaPlaca

Cleveland Christian Home exists to be a haven of hope and healing for children, youth, and families struggling with mental illness, abuse, and neglect.

Check presentation at the Cleveland Christian Home. (l-r) Judith Mansour, Chief Development Officer, CCH; Dean Robinson, Catholic Relationship Manager, OC Federal Credit Union; Chuck Tuttle, CEO, CCH; Joseph LaPlaca, Member, OC Federal Credit Union

---

The Emergency Assistance Center / Northfield

Member nominations by John Flynn and Sharon Kantura

The Emergency Assistance Center provides food, personal hygiene, and clothing items to the surrounding neighborhoods. They assist over 900 people every month!

Check presentation at The Emergency Assistance Center. (l-r) T.J. Dotson, Branch Manager, OC Federal Credit Union; Joyce Hunt, Executive Director, TEAC; Dean Robinson, Catholic Relationship Manager, OC Federal Credit Union; John Flynn, Member, OC Federal Credit Union. (Not pictured: Sharon Kantura, Member, OC Federal Credit Union)

---

Haven of Rest / Akron

Member nomination by Michelle Gatlin

The purpose of Haven of Rest is to serve and glorify God through Christ-centered, life-changing programs of love and compassion that respond to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of men, women and children without regard to their race, color, creed or social standing. Haven of Rest Ministries plays a vital role in our community by helping to break the cycle of homelessness so that people can live brighter, hope-filled lives.

Check presentation at the Haven of Rest. (l-r) Rev. Jeffrey Kaiser, CEO, Haven of Rest; Kathleen Turner, Women’s Division Director, Haven of Rest; Dean Robinson, Catholic Relationship Manager, OC Federal Credit Union; Michelle Gatlin, Member, OC Federal Credit Union; Yvone Brake, Director of Development, Haven of Rest; L.J. Dalton, Career Development, Haven of Rest

---

Hope Farm / Akron

Member nomination by Susan Hughes

Hope Farm is focused on caring for people who are currently homeless, marginalized, and feeling hopeless. Their mission is to provide food, clothing, and supplies as we cultivate relationships between our homeless friends and committed volunteers. Their vision for the future is to build a loving community in which our homeless friends can gain freedom to live with dignity, purpose, and security.

Check presentation for Hope Farm. (l-r) Susan Hughes, Member, OC Federal Credit Union; Dean Robinson, Catholic Relationship Manager, OC Federal Credit Union; Georgann Mirgliotta, Founder, Hope Farm

---

I’m In Ministry! / Independence

Member nomination by Jean Artrip

I’m in Ministry! focuses on serving women and children, the homeless living without basic necessities, those who suffer from domestic violence, the working poor, and the elderly. They provide furniture, clothing, and household items.

Dean Robinson joins Deacon Lou Primozic, Founder of I’m In Ministry!, and OC Federal Credit Union Member Jan Artrip to present the check award.

---

The Peter Maurin Center / Akron

Member nomination by Chuck Deger

The Peter Maurin Center is a place of giving – hope, love, faith, prepared meals, and warm clothing. Our mission is to serve individuals and families who are unsheltered and marginalized in the Greater Akron area.  Our facilities and community extends spiritual and corporal works of mercy in accordance with Matthew 25:31-46, as expressed in Catholic social teaching. At The Peter Maurin Center, we don’t have any paid staff, only volunteers who are as passionate about extending a helping hand as we are.

Check presentation at The Peter Maurin Center (PMC). (l-r) Jim Orenga, Executive Director, PMC; Joe May, Founder, PMC; David Churbock, Director, PMC; Dean Robinson, Catholic Relationship Manager, OC Federal Credit Union. (Not pictured: Chuck Deger, Member, OC Federal Credit Union)

---

Providence House / Cleveland

Member nominations by Karen Paul & Lisa Baranovic

Providence House is Ohio’s first and one of the nation’s longest operating crisis nurseries among the 70+ in operation in the US and Canada today.  They offer free, voluntary (non-custodial) emergency shelter to children newborn through twelve years old, actively living in crisis situations which place them at risk of abuse or neglect.

Check presentation at Providence House. (l-r) Todd Petrie, Branch Manager, OC Federal Credit Union; Karen Paul, Member, OC Federal Credit Union; Natalie Leek, Executive Director, Providence House; Dean Robinson, Catholic Relationship Manager, OC Federal Credit Union. (Not pictured: Lisa Baranovic, Member, OC Federal Credit Union)

---

Seeds of Literacy / Cleveland

Member nominations by Robert Tablack

Seed of Literacy is a non-profit organization that provides FREE basic education and GED and HiSET preparation to adults in the Cleveland area. Students, volunteers, and donors all work together to break the root cause of poverty: illiteracy.

Check presentation at Seeds of Literacy. (l-r) Robert Tablack, Member, OC Federal Credit Union; Carmine Stewart, Ph.D, V.P. of Programming, Seeds of Literacy; Todd Petrie, Branch Manager, OC Federal Credit Union; Bonnie Entler, President & CEO, Seeds of Literacy.

---

Zelie’s Home / Garfield Heights

Member nomination by Joan Chamberlin

Zelie’s Home is a caring community that empowers pregnant and parenting women to take positive and effective action on behalf of themselves and their children by providing physical, emotional, spiritual, and professional support.

Check presentation at Zelie’s Home. (l-r) Todd Petrie, Branch Manager, OC Federal Credit Union; Joan Chamberlin, Member, OC Federal Credit Union; Sarah Moore, Member, OC Federal Credit Union; Erin Hathaway, Executive Director, Zelie’s Home.

---