US Credit Unions Create Partnership for Ukrainian Humanitarian Aid

Founded by Steven Bugg, CEO of Great Lakes Credit Union; Tim Williams, CEO of Sno Falls Credit Union; and Chris Doner, CEO of Access Softek in late 2022, CU Relief Fund for Ukraine™ (CU Relief) is now making a positive impact on the lives of those affected by the ongoing war in Ukraine. By bringing together the resources and expertise of credit unions across the U.S., the organization has provided money and support to:

• UCAG, a rehabilitation program for the children of fallen heroes https://www.ucadvocacygroup.org/rehabilitation-program
• ESPER, which provides bionic prosthetics to Ukrainians https://ukraine.esperbionics.com/ and
• GPNow, providing telehealth or virtual care for the most vulnerable https://www.gpnow.net/

Steve Bugg, CEO of Great Lakes Credit Union, said, “American credit unions can be a tremendous force for good when they unite for an important cause like helping Ukraine. We have carefully selected these causes to support because the need is great, and the money is desperately short.” The organization is seeking more credit union partners and has made it easy for them to participate. U.S. credit unions can execute marketing programs to members to raise money or they can become an advisor or partner to a Ukrainian credit union. Yevhenii Vasilchenko, a resident of Kyiv and managing director of CU Relief, said, “Ukraine critically needs and deeply appreciates the generous support we receive from America. The goal of CU Relief Fund for Ukraine is to make it very easy for American credit unions to let their members donate to help Ukraine. I can say first-hand how important the support Ukraine receives from the U.S. is and what a great effect it has on our efforts to defend ourselves.” From the CEO of the largest credit union in Ukraine, “The war has created great difficulties for Ukrainians and we value any help from American credit unions in this time of great need.”