Maine Highlands FCU helps raise over $500K in Ending Hunger campaign
Recently more than 100 representatives from Maine’s credit unions were joined by Sue Mitchell, a memorable character from the award-winning movie “The Blind Side” and who was portrayed in the film by Oscar-winner Kathy Bates, in announcing that the 2013 Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger raised a record-setting $513,309.
Contributed photo
ENDING HUNGER IN MAINE — From left, John Murphy, president of the Maine Credit Union League, Sue Mitchell, the real-life tutor for NFL Star Michael Oher and the subject of the award-winning film “The Blind Side”, Maine Highlands FCU’s Ramona Flint and Melissa Landry and Luke Labbe, chair of the Maine Credit Union League’s Social Responsibility Committee, are all smiles as Maine Highlands FCU is recognized for its efforts in raising funds for the 2013 Maine Credit Union Campaign for Ending Hunger. The Dexter-based credit union finished seventh in total funds raised ($20,056) and sixth in per member contributions ($1.72 per member).
This represents an increase of more than $42,000 over 2012. The announcement was made at a special ceremony held at The Marriott in South Portland.
The Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union of Dexter, with other locations in Brownville, Dover-Foxcroft, Greenville and Guilford, was a strong participant in raising funds for the 2013 Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger, finishing in the top 10 in funds raised and per member contributions.
John Murphy, president of the Maine Credit Union League, remarked on how far the campaign has come since it began back in 1990. “In the first year, credit unions raised $24,000 to end hunger in Maine. Today, that total has grown to $513,000 raised in 2013 alone. This campaign is a testament to what can be accomplished by cooperating and coming together for a cause. Maine credit unions are about helping others, whether it’s by providing financial services or raising funds to make sure their neighbors have enough to eat including the one in four Maine children who, oftentimes, do not know where their next meal is going to come from. I applaud the choice of Maine’s credit unions back in 1990 to take on this issue and, through your leadership, our fundraising efforts continue to grow each year.”
In addition to setting a single-year fundraising total, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger topped the $5 million mark in funds raised since the campaign began in 1990, with $5.3 million having been raised. All funds stay in Maine and go directly to help end hunger.