Disaster Relief

Disaster Relief Assistance

For the credit union community, the devastation of fire destruction hits home. We are a family, and when a family member is impacted we come to their assistance. These are communities in need.

Grants are available for credit union employees and board members to assist with immediate disaster relief needs, such as out-of-pocket costs that may result from being evacuated.

Credit unions that are CUNA Mutual Group (CMG) policy holders can obtain additional insurance information and claim contact information by clicking here.

California Fires

The following are updated information on the impact of the destructive fires happening throughout California:

  • CBC CU: November 13-All branches are now open. With the help of the credit union’s BCP plan, the fires had minimal impact of operations. The Thousand Oaks and Pt Mugu branches were closed Friday because of the fires, smoke, and air quality. All branches are open today, and all operations are normal. While several staff were evacuated from the fires, there were no loss of homes or property. Credit union is working with the local United Way of Ventura County on relief efforts. 
  • California Bear CU: November 13-Credit union has proactively decided to provide any affected member disaster relief in the form of a bridge program, according to President and CEO Robert Vecci. The maximum loan amount is $10,000 with a 24-month term (the APR will vary from 3.99 percent to 7.99 percent). 
  • CoastHills CU: November 16--Thousand Oaks branch is now back up and running. All staff completely safe and sound. November 13-Thousand Oaks branch closed due to the Woolsey/Hill fires and remains close at this point. 
  • Kinecta CU: November 15: The Westlake Village branch is now open. November 13 -Branch in Westlake Village remains closed at this point. The credit union also is offering a variety of disaster relief programs for members who are impacted by the fires, including a 0-percent interest disaster relief emergency loan, up to a $5,000 credit card limit on existing or new credit cards with payment deferral of up to four months, and loan payment deferrals. 
  • Members First CU: November 13 -Branch in Chico not affected by the Camp Fire. Credit union offering assistance to impacted members.
  • Premier America CU: November 13-On November 9, and 10, both Westlake branches were closed due excessive smoke and fire danger. Both branches are now open and fully operational. Since the fires began, the credit union has had numerous member-owners and employee team members that have been forced to evacuate their homes. In observance of the Veterans Day holiday, the Premier America Call Center was originally scheduled to be closed on November 12, but in anticipation that members would have financial service needs arising from the fires, the senior management team made the decision to open the credit union’s Call Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On November 9, the credit union approved the availability of 0-percent emergency loans of up to $5,000 for existing and prospective members impacted by the wildfires.
  • Sierra Central CU: November 17: Credit union has thousands of members and several employees affected. Employees have jumped in to assist members and the Paradise community and all the evacuation centers in NOR-CAL. November 13-Paradise branch remains closed due to health and safety issues.
  • Kinecta FCU: Milena Gotch, Director of Communications said members have been told: Due to the Woolsey Fire and until evacuation orders have been lifted, we have closed our Westlake Village Member Service Center located at 973 S. Westlake Blvd. We will apprise you once the branch reopens. If you've been affected by the fire, please call us at 888.954.6328 to learn about our disaster recovery solutions, which include credit cards, loan payment deferrals, and expedited processing of insurance. We have also purchased $50 gift cards for distribution. We will be working with Karma Rescue to collect pet supplies at WC and WLV branches.
  • Ventura County CU: November 13-Thousand Oaks branch closed temporarily 11/9; reopened on 11/10

If you wish to help those affected by these tragic fires, we encourage you to visit the following donation pages:

You can make material donations to: Butte County Fairgrounds in Gridley, which needs new towels; new clothing in all sizes, including shoes, undergarments, and sweatshirts. The Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds in Yuba City needs pet food and supplies (collars, leashes), cat litter, food bowls for animals and hay for livestock. These can be dropped off at the livestock area of the fairgrounds. The Yuba-Sutter Habitat For Humanity in Marysville is accepting material donations like clothing and shoes. Address: 202 D St., Marysville, CA 95901. The Sutter Fire Department seeks paper cups, paper plates, paper towels, animal food, new jackets, new coats, and bottled water. Address: 2340 California St., Sutter, CA 95982. And Hope Center in Oroville (1950 Kitrick Ave., Ste. A) needs warm clothes, shoes, socks, and coats.

For the Woolsey/Hill Fire, you can donate to the United Way Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation, and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.

Assisting victims of the Camp Fire: Sierra Central CU has partnered with its long-time spokesperson and former Sacramento, King Harold Pressley, and his foundation, which along with California Assemblyman James Gallagher and successful business leaders throughout the affected areas, is working to get much needed dollars and resources to families and individuals directly impacted by the fire. To make a donation, click here.

San Mateo CU is teaming with up with the Half Moon Brewing Company for its Thanksgiving fundraiser on Nov. 22.  The brewing company is donating 100 percent of food sales to the North Valley Community Foundation.  The credit union is matching money raised up to $10,000 for a possible $20,000 donation.  For more information, click here 

The Fire Family Foundation, the charitable arm of Firefighters First CU, is accepting donations to help the more than 50 firefighters who have lost their homes in these fires. The Foundation offers financial help to firefighters and their families in times of need due to disaster, illness, or death. One hundred percent of donations goes directly to support the Fire Family. Donations may be made online or mailed to the Foundation office, 815 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90041.

CUAid.coop: The National Credit Union Foundation is accepting donations via their online disaster relief system CUAid.coop. Please select the general disaster relief option. The National Credit Union Foundation will coordinate with the California Credit Union League to distribute donations collected through CUAid to help credit union employees with critical and longer-term recovery needs. One hundred percent of donations will go to credit union disaster relief.