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

IRS Rules Turn ‘Simple’ Auto Loan Tax Break Into Compliance Challenge

  PLANO, Texas— A new federal tax deduction allowing consumers to deduct interest on qualifying auto loans is being billed as a borrower benefit, but newly issued regulations from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service show the program will impose significant compliance and reporting obligations on credit unions and other auto lenders. That’s the assessment of Brian Turner, president and chief economist with Meridian Economics, who said the rules governing the so-called auto loan interest deduction are “far more technical” than initially described and will require system and process changes for many finance providers, including credit unions active in indirect and direct auto lending. Deduction Comes With Detailed Conditions Brian Turner Under the proposed regulations, interest is deductible only if the loan and vehicle meet strict criteria. The vehicle must weigh less than 14,000 pounds, be designed for public road use, be newly placed in service by t...

What Gen Z Is Really Looking For In A Credit Union

  Gen Z’s faith in traditional institutions gives credit unions a rich opportunity to serve as a key source of financial guidance. Sponsored Content By Adrenaline, Inc. Credit unions can strengthen loyalty with the influential Generation Z by connecting their brand’s purpose, financial guidance, and in-branch experience. Widely described as digital natives, Gen Z meets many of their everyday banking needs with mobile apps and digital tools across multiple providers. While younger consumers certainly expect seamless digital functionality from their primary financial provider, what they value even more is meaningful advice and trusting relationships. Because beneath Gen Z’s technological savvy is a measurable confidence gap —  one that impacts every aspect of their financial lives. According to  Adrenaline’s 2026 Gen Z research  conducted with Alexander Babbage, 36% of Gen Z say they find financial matters confusing, and one in three report feeling overwhelmed by money...

Sunday Reading - What happened after the Civil War?

  Rebuilding the Union:  What happened after the Civil War? The Reconstruction era, lasting from 1865 to 1877, was the period when the US federal government sought to reunite the nation after the Civil War. Key issues included how to punish Confederates, readmit Southern states, and secure rights for newly freed Black Americans ( read Lincoln's original plan ). Following Abraham Lincoln's assassination days after the war's end, President Andrew Johnson—a pro-Union, pro-states' rights Southerner—pursued a lenient approach to reconciliation. He pardoned former Confederates , restored their property, and allowed Southern states to govern with little federal oversight. Those states quickly enacted laws restricting the freedoms of formerly enslaved pe...

GAC 2026: In Debut GAC Speech, Simpson Calls On Movement To Protect Cooperative Model

WASHINGTON—America’s Credit Unions President and CEO Scott Simpson told attendees at the 2026 Governmental Affairs Conference that what’s truly at stake in Washington isn’t just policy — it’s the “transformational experiences” credit unions create in people’s lives every day. Scott Simpson addresses the meeting. Credit unions exist—Simpson reminded the record crowd as he delivered his first GAC address as ACU’s leader—because Congress chose nearly a century ago to expand access to financial services for Americans who were being left behind. The Federal Credit Union Act wasn’t about creating another financial institution model — it was about ensuring middle America could be served. That mission remains intact, but Simpson warned it cannot be taken for granted. For years, Simpson said he has asked credit union leaders a simple question: Why do credit unions exist? The typical answer — that they are not-for-profit financial cooperatives — is true, but incomplete. Credit unions and their t...

The NCUA just published its stablecoin playbook: Here’s what credit unions need to know

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has begun answering a key question for credit unions since the GENIUS Act became law last July: What is the stablecoin licensing process? On February 11, 2026, the NCUA published a  22-page proposed rule , "Investments in and Licensing of Permitted Payment Stablecoins Issuers," in the Federal Register. This document outlines the framework for credit union participation under the new Act. The NCUA has a deadline of July 18, 2026, to finalize this rule. Here’s what credit unions need to know now. Quick background: The GENIUS Act and the NCUA’s role The GENIUS Act designated the NCUA as a primary federal regulator of stablecoin, alongside the FDIC, the OCC, and the Federal Reserve. Credit unions can't issue stablecoins directly; they must operate through subsidiaries, typically CUSOs, that apply for and obtain an NCUA-issued Permitted Payment Stablecoin Issuer (PPSI) license. The newly proposed rule covers the application and l...

NCUA - Hauptman Covers Stablecoins, Solo Board And Agency Overhaul In Wide-Ranging Talk

WASHINGTON—Appearing on stage during the America’s Credit Unions Governmental Affairs Conference, NCUA Chairman Kyle Hauptman joined ACU President/CEO Scott Simpson for a wide-ranging discussion that zeroed in on what he sees as defining issues for the agency: the emergence of stablecoins, the current dynamic of serving as NCUA’s lone board member, and the accomplishments he believes will shape his legacy before   departing   for the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Scott Simpson (L) with Kyle Hauptman. The most forward-looking portion of Monday’s discussion centered on stablecoins, which Hauptman described as a practical, real-world application of blockchain technology rather than a speculative bet on crypto prices. He framed dollar-backed stablecoins as a payments innovation that could streamline cross-border transfers, allow recipients to hold funds in dollars, and enable more automated settlement of transactions such as loan participations. By allowing all partie...

Sunday Reading - Self-driving formula cars race in the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League

The league and high-speed versions of traditional cars help to showcase the capabilities of driverless vehicles and the reliability of their AI systems. Leonardo da Vinci first imagined the idea for such machines in the 16th century. ================================================= Remember, you're not alone with  NCOFCU.org Join/Upgrade Check out some of NCOFCU's additional features: First Responder Credit Union Academy Financial Literacy Podcasts YouTube Mini's Blog Job Board

Stablecoins Moving from Crypto Curiosity to Payments Infrastructure

At the 2026 Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC), credit union leaders heard a clear message: stablecoins are rapidly evolving from a niche crypto tool into a core component of modern payments infrastructure. Stablecoins are digital tokens typically pegged to a fiat currency like the U.S. dollar and backed by reserves such as cash or short-term Treasury securities. Initially used mostly inside cryptocurrency markets, they are now increasingly being viewed as a faster and more efficient way to move money globally . Why Stablecoins Matter The technology offers several potential advantages over traditional payment systems: 24/7 settlement instead of banking-hour restrictions Faster cross-border payments with fewer intermediaries Lower transaction costs compared with legacy payment rails Greater transparency and programmability in how funds move These capabilities are why banks, fintechs, and large financial institutions are beginning to explore stablecoins as part o...

TruStage To Launch TSDA, Bringing Stablecoin Infrastructure To Community FIs

MADISON, Wis.— TruStage Tuesday today announced the planned launch of TruStage Stablecoin (TSDA), a fully reserved U.S. dollar stablecoin. At its core, TSDA is designed to broaden access to digital payment infrastructure for community-based financial institutions, TruStage explained. “A trusted partner of credit unions for more than 90 years, TruStage currently works with more than 93% of 4,300+ credit unions nationwide, which collectively hold more than $2 trillion in assets. TruStage Stablecoin will be among the very first stablecoins specific to community based financial institutions and is supported by decades of industry relationships, financial strength, and operational excellence,” TruStage said. “In my career working with credit unions, I’ve never witnessed the level of engagement surrounding any technology advancement similar to what I’m seeing with stablecoin solutions right now,” said Brian Kaas, president and managing director of TruStage Ventures, the venture capital arm o...