Despite the harsh economic climate...CHURCHES CO-OPERATIVE CREDIT UNION PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR CHURCHES AND CHARITIES

Kingston, Jamaica: April 20, 2009:

In the midst of the harsh economic climate where “cut backs” are the order of the day, the Churches Co-operative Credit Union has announced that it will be making several contributions to local churches and charities as part of the “Churches Season of Giving” Campaign Part 1. This campaign includes the “Churches Supporting Churches Project” which focuses on providing assistance towards church related outreach programmes.

The bold initiative will see the Credit Union making donations to at least ten (10) churches, charitable organisations and worthy causes as well as carrying out social outreach and providing support for the performing arts throughout the year.

The Campaign kicked off earlier this month with a Feeding Day, which was held at the St. Stephen's United Church, near the Credit Union’s head office on Eureka Road in Kingston. On that occasion, the Credit Union’s staff members prepared and distributed a hot meal and special Easter packages to the less fortunate in the community.

Next on the agenda is the Churches Cooperative Credit Union’s Benefit Performance of the Basil Dawkins play, ‘She’s Royal’ which is scheduled for Wednesday April 29, 2009 at the Little Little Theatre in Kingston. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be donated to the Kingston Moravian, Lyndhurst Methodist and All Saints Churches to support various development projects.


In the coming months, the Credit Union will be embarking on other fundraising ventures in order to help meet some of the increased demand for support from local charities.

“We know that the current economic challenges mean that our churches, charities and community groups will now need even more support because the number of people who require assistance from charities is now increasing,” said Juven Montague-Anderson, Manager – Marketing & Public Relations.

“So although in times like this the tendency is to give less we have realised that it is critical to give even more because the needs are greater”, she added.

The biblical concept of meeting the needs of others goes to the very foundation of the Churches Credit Union as the institution traces its roots back to three local churches Kingston Moravian, Lyndhurst Methodist and All Saints which formed a part of the basis upon which Churches was established in 1971. .

“Charity literally begins at home and so the first churches that will receive a contribution from us are the three congregations that our members originally came from when the credit union was founded”, Mrs. Montague-Anderson explained. “Of course our giving will go beyond our immediate family to the wider church community and we hope that our contribution will enrich the lives of many people across the country.”

With more than 115,000 members, Churches Co-operative Credit Union is the second largest credit union in Jamaica, with membership open to all members of churches and their relatives island wide.

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