We Promise Foundation Brightens the Season & Lives of Others with $924,300 in Grants to Charities

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Dec. 11, 2013 - PRLog -- Virginia Beach, VA (Dec. 11, 2013) – Chartway Federal Credit Union’s We Promise Foundation knows that for a child battling a life-threatening illness, having a reason to smile can be one of the most powerful weapons in even the most formidable fight. At the precise moment when a courageous child needs more than medicine, the credit union’s charitable arm gives them a dose of hope by making their dream come true.

Throughout the past year, Chartway’s We Promise Foundation has been holding numerous fundraisers aimed at raising money to make a difference for children in the communities it serves. From its 8th Annual Diamonds in the Sky Gala emceed by The Fosters Actress Teri Polo, to its 15th Annual Charity Golf Classic attended by LPGA player Jill McGill, its 4th Annual Red Carpet Celebrity Handbag Auction where it auctioned off couture handbags donated by celebrities including four-time Best Actress Emmy Award Winner, Michael Learned, and American Idol Season Six favorite, Melinda Doolittle, just to name a few, the foundation was able to achieve a new fundraising milestone in 2013.

As a result of its historic efforts, the We Promise Foundation board approved grants to 16 charitable organizations, totaling an astonishing $924,300. These funds, including $124,000 in grants that were awarded earlier this year, will be disbursed to the following non-profits who share its mission:

» The Make-a-Wish Foundation of Greater Virginia - VA

» The Make-a-Wish Foundation of Utah - UT

» The Make-a-Wish Foundation of the Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana – TX / LA

» The Make-a-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida - FL

» The Make-a-Wish Foundation of Eastern North Carolina - NC

» Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters – Virginia Beach, VA

» St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children – Norfolk, VA

» Toby’s Dream Foundation – Virginia Beach, VA

» Roc Solid Foundation – Chesapeake, VA

» Families of Autistic Children of Tidewater – Virginia Beach, VA

» EQUI-KIDS – Virginia Beach, VA

» Dixie Regional Medical Center – St. George, UT

» Angel’s Hands Foundation – South Jordan, UT

» Ability Found – Salt Lake City, UT

» Rock-N-Jock Charities – Warwick, RI

» The Matty Fund – Wakefield, RI

“At our organization, our commitment to improving the communities in which we live and serve reflects our unique generosity of spirit,” said Ron Burniske, president and CEO of Chartway FCU. “One significant way we are able to do just that is by raising money to make dreams come true for children battling life-threatening illnesses in our communities. We could not be more grateful for the support of our employees, our members, and our business partners who have contributed this year so that young warriors who face adversity with tremendous courage and strength may have the opportunity to dream big.”

Since 1999, the credit union and its We Promise Foundation have raised more than $5,800,000 to bring smiles to the faces of thousands of children.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

LPGA Golfer Jill McGill Turns Bogeys into Birdies.JPG

Earlier this year, Chartway FCU’s We Promise Foundation welcomed well renowned LPGA golfer Jill McGill, who helped a full flight of golfers turn their bogey’s into birdies during its 15th Annual Charity Golf Classic.

We Promise Kid Hero Ryan Surprises Actress Teri Polo.JPG

We Promise Kid Hero, Ryan Poteet, welcomed actress Teri Polo, to the We Promise Foundation’s 8th Annual Diamonds in the Sky gala, with a bouquet of flowers. This was the fourth year the actress personally attended this event; she has formed close relationships with many of the young heroes the fundraiser has supported throughout the years.

5-year-old Trey One of Hundreds Whose Dream Came True. JPG

Chartway’s We Promise Foundation provided the funding to make Trey’s dream come true –a backyard playground custom-built for the young cancer survivor. The foundation partnered with the Roc Solid Foundation, whose Play it Forward program gives children battling cancer new playsets, for this effort.

About the We Promise Foundation

As the charitable arm of Chartway FCU and its divisions of HeritageWest and SouthWest Community, the We Promise Foundation is dedicated to making dreams come true for children battling degenerative, life-threatening, debilitating or chronic illnesses, or those facing tremendous hardship. Since 1999, the credit union and its We Promise Foundation have raised more than $5,800,000 to bring smiles to the faces of more than 1,200 children.

About the Chartway Federal Family of Credit Unions

Chartway FCU, a not-for-profit financial institution, has been serving members and families since 1959, building a service network that includes 59 branches in 10 states. Headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the credit union’s reach extends through Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia and Utah. Chartway’s family of credit unions includes Chartway FCU, HeritageWest Credit Union and SouthWest Community Credit Union. Altogether, the organization has assets of more than $1.9 billion and serves nearly 200,000 members. For more information, visit www.chartway.com, www.HeritageWestCU.com, or www.SouthWestFederal.Com.