Skip to main content

Fire Family Foundation Establishes Middleton Relief Fund to Support Local NoCal Communities Devastated by Fire

MEDIA CONTACT: Robin McCarthy
323 550 2208

Fire Family Foundation Establishes Middleton Relief Fund to Support Local NoCal Communities Devastated by Fire

September 14, 2015 – Los Angeles/Middleton, CA: Responding to the emergency of deadly wildfires that are currently blazing through Northern California, the California Credit Union League and Fire Family Foundation (www.FireFamilyFoundation.org), the charitable hand of Firefighters First Credit Union, have partnered to create the Middletown Relief Fund.

Located in Lake County, Middletown was devastated by a fast-moving wildfire that erupted Saturday afternoon; thousands have left their homes and four firefighters were critically injured with second degree burns.

The Middletown Relief Fund will dedicate 100% of the funds raised to those in these areas from Napa to Sacramento. As it has done for other firefighters and fire victims, the funds will be used to pay expenses for everything from food to mortgages/rent.

"Our firefighters are facing immense obstacles and frankly, awful conditions in this tremendous heat, while the fire continues to rage and spread," explains Mike Mastro, Chair, Fire Family Foundation Board, and CEO/President, Firefighters First Credit Union. "Our commitment is to firefighters. We have always been there to help our firefighters and now those injured need our help even more."

Diana Dykstra, President/CEO of the California Credit Union League, comments on the unique partnership, "Credit Unions are part of the community. We are marshaling credit unions across California to aid in helping those affected by this destruction. When one suffers we believe in banding together to help and serve. Some of our member credit unions are in these local communities, and yes, they truly need us now. Working through Fire Family Foundation, we can serve those affected.”

The Foundation is a nonprofit organization currently helping Firefighter Damien Pereira who was critically injured earlier this year fighting a wild land fire. A limb fell on him and the 27-year old is paralyzed from the waist down.

All donations to the Middleton Relief Fund are tax deductible. To make a donation, visit www.FireFamilyFoundation.org and enter Middleton Relief Fund for tribute gift or make checks payable to Fire Family Foundation, 815 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90041 with a notation: Middleton Relief Fund.

ABOUT FIRE FAMILY FOUNDATION

Fire Family Foundation responds when tragedy affects firefighters and fire victims. A nonprofit founded by the respected Firefighters First Credit Union, Fire Family Foundation offers immediate assistance to firefighters and their families, fire victims, fire departments, and charities. The Foundation believes that by coming together as a “Fire Family,” assistance can be provided to those impacted by fire. Learn more at www.FireFamilyFoundation.org.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

NCUA Board briefed on four topics

The NCUA Board heard briefings on four topics during its meeting Thursday, including the status of the deregulation initiative, a clarification regarding existing rules applicable to brokered and reciprocal deposit arrangements, and the agency’s 2026-2030 Strategic Plan and 2026 Annual Performance Plan.   Acting Director of the Office of Examination and Insurance Amanda Parkhill provided an overview of Phase 1 of the agency’s Deregulation Project, which focuses on targeted, technical changes to remove outdated or unnecessary requirements and improve clarity. The agency made it clear that the effort will likely continue into late 2026 or early 2027, evolving over time based on policy priorities and stakeholder input.   NCUA General Counsel Frank Kressman briefed the board on brokered and reciprocal deposit arrangements and the NCUA’s FAQs on this topic. The briefing demonstrated how a brokered deposit network operates with respect to low-income designated (LID) FICUs ...

How Your Bank/Credit Union Can Fight ‘Soft Switching’ — and Even Steal a Few Accounts of Your Own

Your Members Aren't Leaving in a Huff, They're Just Fading Away. Here's How to Stop It. “Soft switching” is picking up as Americans’ financial activity continues to fragment among multiple players, according to new research from JD Power. This trend has implications both for banks and credit unions that want to retain and grow existing relationships, as well as those that would also like to expand by snapping up accounts from other institutions. Key risk:  Once someone establishes a relationship with another provider, their one-time primary financial institution risks slipping into second place — or even losing the relationship entirely. Need to Know: The average checking account customer now has three deposit accounts at different institutions, the study found. One out of five consumers moved money away from their primary financial institution in the past three months, according to the study, an increase over the 17% rate seen in the previous edition. Departures aren’t sud...

Sunday Reading - Landmine Rat Honored

  Landmine Rat Honored   Cambodia unveiled the world’s first statue honoring a landmine-detecting rat (w/photo) Friday. Magawa the rat lived to 8 years old and identified more than 100 landmines and other explosives from 2016 to 2021.  There are more than 100 African pouched rats deployed in landmine detection operations across the world. To identify mines, the rats are trained to sniff out explosive compounds like trinitrotoluene, or TNT. (The rats are not heavy enough to trigger detonation.) In Cambodia, up to 6 million landmines remain undiscovered, most planted during three decades of conflict, from the Vietnam War era through Cambodia's civil war . Since 1979, roughly 20,000 people have been killed in Cambodia, and roughly 40,000 wounded as a result of the mines. Magawa cleared more than ...

It's Financial Literacy Month

April is Financial Literacy Month—a time dedicated to empowering individuals and families with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed financial decisions. Whether you're budgeting, saving, managing debt, or planning for the future, improving your financial literacy can have a lasting impact on your well-being. We invite you to explore our Consumer Education website, where you'll find helpful resources, tips, and guidance to support your financial journey. If you find it valuable, please share it with your family and friends—because financial knowledge is even more powerful when it’s shared. https://www.ncofcu.org/financial-literacy  ================================================= Remember, you're not alone with  NCOFCU.org Join/Upgrade Check out some of NCOFCU's additional features: Annual Conference First Responder Credit Union Academy Financial Literacy Podcasts YouTube Mini's Advocacy  

The Case for Sharing a CEO Between Credit Unions

  Embracing Collaboration: The Case for Sharing a CEO Between Credit Unions In recent years, credit unions have faced numerous challenges, from regulatory pressures to evolving member expectations. As many seasoned leaders retire, smaller credit unions often find themselves at a turning point. In this landscape, one innovative solution is gaining traction: sharing a CEO between two credit unions. This approach not only addresses financial constraints but also fosters collaboration and enhances service delivery. The Rationale Behind Sharing a CEO 1. Financial Sustainability One of the most pressing concerns for small credit unions is maintaining financial health amid rising operational costs. A shared CEO model alleviates the financial burden of hiring and compensating a full-time executive. By splitting salary and benefits, both credit unions can allocate resources more effectively, allowing for investment in member services, technology, and community initiatives. ...

The Unique Challenges, Opportunities for CUs in Attracting & Retaining Top Talent

Affinity FCU shares the details of its strategies, including a comprehensive benefits program. By Pam Cohen | September 09, 2024 at 09:00 AM Credit/AdobeStock Attracting and retaining top talent is an ongoing challenge for many organizations, but credit unions face a unique set of obstacles. Unlike larger financial institutions, credit unions often operate with resource constraints and have less brand recognition, which can make it difficult to compete for top-tier talent. Despite these challenges, credit unions have unique strengths that can be leveraged to attract individuals who value a strong sense of community and a supportive work environment. Being Innovative When Growing Talent At Affinity Federal Credit Union, we have implemented several innovative strategies to attract and retain top talent. One key approach is our comprehensive benefits program, which emphasize...

Open Banking Pushes Leading Credit Unions Ahead In Race For Member Loyalty

  https://youtu.be/pUIV8hwSDCE NEW YORK—Credit unions that embrace open banking aren’t just keeping pace with competitors—they’re pulling ahead, new data show. A new report finds that innovation in digital tools and personalized experiences is emerging as the decisive factor separating credit unions that win lasting member loyalty from those at risk of losing ground. “ The 2025 Credit Union Innovation Readiness Index: Closing Gaps, Winning Members ,” a June report produced in collaboration between  Velera  and PYMNTS Intelligence, underscores innovation as a defining factor for credit union success. iStock-Korakrich Suntornnites “Facing shifting expectations from both consumers and small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) toward digital convenience and tailored experiences, credit unions must modernize not just to compete with traditional banks, but to remain relevant to their members. The report, based surveys of 500 credit union executives, 15,000 U.S. consumers, and nea...

Loan Growth Part 3

MADISON, Wis.–Credit union loan balances rose 1.1% in February, faster than the 0.2% reported in February 2021, even as membership growth slowed significantly during the first two months of 2022, according to data released as part of CUNA Mutual’s April Trends Report. The Report, which is based on data through February, showed overall loan growth was 9.6% during the last 12 months. What is actually happening below the surface? According to the Trends Report, consistent with the trend line the analysis shows large credit unions reported significantly faster loan growth in 2021 as compared to smaller credit unions. Credit unions with assets greater than $1 billion reported loan growth of 8.4% compared to credit unions with assets less than $20 million, reporting loan growth of 0.9%. Here's a look at how credit unions performed by category, according to the newest Trends Report” ...

Meet Spokane Firefighter Credit Union (SFCU) New President/CEO - Troy Clute

Meet SFCU's New President/CEO - Troy Clute  Troy Clute serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Spokane Firefighters Credit Union, bringing 29 years of experience in banking and finance. His career includes extensive leadership roles across the industry, with a strong foundation in consumer lending and member-focused financial services. Troy is a graduate of the renowned CUES CEO Institute Program, having earned the Certified Chief Executive (CCE) designation—one of the highest leadership credentials in the credit union movement. His leadership is defined by strategic vision, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to serving Spokane’s firefighter community and their families. Beyond his professional role, Troy values family above all. He and his wife, Karri, have been married for 36 years and share two grown children, Kellen and Kennadie, as well as three grandchildren—Tyus, Izze, and Major—who keep life joyful and full of adventure. When he’s not leading the c...

The impact of recent bank failures could impact credit unions.

The failures of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank, combined with the FDIC’s decision to cover all depositors could have an impact on credit unions. With over 93% of their deposits uninsured, SVB appears to be the poster child for poor strategic planning. The bank got caught short when the Fed raised rates. For credit unions, the real story is the decision to cover ALL accounts regardless of the amount in the account. Where is the threat to credit unions? Credit unions had no role in the failures of SVB and Signature Bank. The threat lies in the Treasury and FDIC’s decision to guarantee the funds in every account…no matter how much was in that account. While the Treasury Secretary and FDIC Chairman Gruenberg may have felt the need to do so to restore confidence, this action just kicks the can down the road. And the road will have no end if NCUA feels the pressure to do the same thing if a similar situation hits the credit union movement. Should there be a conservatorship or...