MCU, BROOKLYN CYCLONES GIVE THANKS BY GIVING BACK
- Donate Over 300 Turkeys for Thanksgiving Holiday -
December 7, 2010, Brooklyn, NY - The holidays will be a little happier this year, thanks to Municipal Credit Union (MCU) and the Brooklyn Cyclones. On Wednesday, November 17th, representatives from MCU and the Cyclones distributed over 300 turkeys to underprivileged and less fortunate families in South Brooklyn. Hundreds gathered at Coney Island's MCU Park to receive a turkey to help feed their families this Thanksgiving, a holiday staple they would not be able to afford otherwise.
"For a lot of families in the community, there is no turkey, no Thanksgiving," said Pastor Constance Hulla of the Coney Island Gospel Assembly, which has served needy families in the community for over fifty years. "To make a Thanksgiving for a family with just a simple turkey is special." Pastor Debbie Santiago of the Salt and Sea Mission, which was formed in 1987 to meet the basic needs of people in the Coney Island community, echoed the importance of the donations to the local community. "Some children have never had Thanksgiving at their homes before. For these children to go to school and describe the experience of Thanksgiving at home is something they will never forget."
Since MCU entered an agreement for naming rights of MCU Park in February, which is the Cyclones' ball park for the past 10 years, MCU and the Cyclones have worked in unison to strengthen a connection with a community. Pastor Vincent Fusco of the Coney Island Lighthouse Mission, which is dedicated to fighting hunger and poverty in the local community, feels the generous donation will go a long way with a community that has been greatly affected by recent economic hardship. "We have been praying for help with the rough economy, and a donation of this magnitude brings hope to the community. To know there are people and organizations out there who really care is something special," he said.
Both MCU and the Cyclones are happy to help area families and place a great importance on supporting the community. Ken Currey, MCU vice president of business development, said, "MCU is fully committed to serving the communities we are in, both personally and financially. MCU has a strong presence in Coney Island, with MCU Park and the Express Branch we plan to open here in the spring. Today's turkey giveaway is just one example of our continuing commitment to be a good community citizen."
Steve Cohen, General Manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones stated that "MCU's partnership with the Cyclones has always revolved around community involvement, and making an impact in the borough of Brooklyn. This turkey donation is just another example of the outstanding work that they do, and we are proud to have been a part of the event."
About Municipal Credit Union
Municipal Credit Union (MCU) is the oldest credit union in New York State and one of the oldest and largest in the country. Established in 1916 and headquartered in New York City, today MCU has assets of over $1.6 billion and offers a full range of financial services to over 320,000 members. With branches in New York City, Westchester and Long Island, members also have access to the credit union's large and growing ATM network. Eligibility to open accounts at MCU is available to New York City and Yonkers municipal employees; state and federal employees who work in the five boroughs; health care professionals who work in New York State; members of select industry groups; employees of private colleges in New York City and private and public colleges in Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester; certain family members, and qualifying retirees. MCU is an equal opportunity lender and deposits are federally insured to at least $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), a U.S. government agency. For more information about Municipal Credit Union, visit www.nymcu.org.
