Young Credit Union Professionals Fundraise for Youth Shelter

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YPC members from Buffalo Metropolitan FCU, with some of the many items collected and purchased for Compass House.

ALBANY, NY (02/29/2012)(readMedia)-- Young Professional Commission (YPC) members from Buffalo Metropolitan FCU and Great Erie FCU, in partnership with Buffalo Community FCU, recently coordinated a fundraiser for Compass House, which provides Western New York's runaway and homeless youth with emergency shelter, support and a path out of crisis.

After the holidays, the young professionals launched their fundraising efforts. Buffalo Metropolitan FCU employees raised money to buy new toothbrushes and deodorant by taking a collection from staff. Employees of Buffalo Community FCU donated everything from pots and pans to a full set of dishes. Great Erie FCU employees posted flyers to inform their members and collected bags of clothing and bedding.

"Receiving support makes a tremendous difference in helping Compass House keep kids safe," said Lisa Freeman, executive director at Compass House.

The idea to collect items for Compass House stemmed from a December meet-up organized by the YPC. Meet-ups are local gatherings of individuals age 35 or younger who work or volunteer at a credit union.

"We had a great response from our employees," said Stephanie Marra, marketing director at Buffalo Community FCU. "We are planning to do another one with a spring cleaning theme."

The Young Professionals Commission is a select group of young credit union employees or volunteers (age 35 and under) from across the state. The group's mission is to develop strategies and practices to assist the Association and its member credit unions in recruiting young adults as employees and volunteers with an eye on developing and promoting them into positions of leadership within the New York credit union community.

The Credit Union Association of New York has served as the trade association for the state's credit unions for 95 years. New York credit unions have assets of more than $53 billion and serve 4.5 million members. To learn more about the Association, visit www.cuany.org.

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Photo caption: Angelina Incorvaia, David Roy and Sarah Edinger (l-r), YPC members from Buffalo Metropolitan FCU, with some of the many items collected and purchased for Compass House, which provides WNY runaway and homeless youth with emergency shelter and more. YPC members from Buffalo Community FCU, Buffalo Metropolitan FCU and Great Erie FCU coordinated the fundraiser.