News
League Flood Relief Fund Joins In Brad Paisley Challenge — 7/1/16
$35,000 sent to flood relief efforts
Though country music performer, and West Virginia native, Brad Paisley lives and works in Nashville, his home state is never far from his mind. This was the case when recent flooding decimated many southern West Virginia communities. Paisley announced on June 28 that he has started a GoFundMe account for the flood victims. The West Virginia League Designated Fund administered by the National Credit Union Foundation, took him up on the offer and donated $35,000 to the effort.
“Before Paisley’s public announcement, we had been in contact with Senator Manchin’s staff who have been working in the flooded areas and are aware that immediate needs are being met by a generous outpouring of support. They emphasized that a sustained effort will be needed in the coming weeks,” stated League President Ken Watts.“The Senator’s staff suggested we reach out to Brad’s team since they have successfully raised and distributed flood relief funds in the past,” Watts added.
Paisley made the announcement live via Facebook by performing "Country Roads" acoustically and then issuing a challenge to his fans and friends to join him in contributing. He made an initial donation of $100,000 with a goal of raising $1 million. In turn, the WV League Designated Fund is sending $35,000 to the Paisley Foundation—all of which will be spent on people needing various assistance in the hard hit areas.
Paisley was in West Virginia on Thursday and joined by West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and U.S. Senators Manchin and Capito visiting various communities devastated by the flood.
To date, 10 West Virginia counties have been declared federal disaster areas by the federal government making them eligible for FEMA assistance.
“Brad’s team was appreciative of the donation, and are working with a sense of urgency—as are we, to get funds out to flood victims in a timely manner,” Watts explained.
Earlier this week the West Virginia League reached out to its member credit unions, explaining that credit unions and others wishing to contribute to the disaster relief fund can do so in one of two ways:
- -Complete an ACH authorization form to make the payment electronically; or
- -Mail a check to the League (411 Cedar Grove Rd., Parkersburg, WV, 26104) made payable to the National Credit Union Foundation and in the memo line write “WV Designated Fund – flood relief.”
"We are extremely grateful for the quick response thus far by credit unions wanting to pitch-in and help," Watts stated.
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Contact: Rich Schaffer (rschaffer@wvcul.org) 1-800-641-1946