OFCU makes holiday bright for non-profits

Ozark Federal Credit Union normally holds 45 fundraising events each year, but COVID-19 slowed the business’ efforts this year.

“Our community had been hit pretty hard,” said OFCU Business Development Specialist Davine Conover. “Our community best works together as a team. We try to do so much in the community.”

Conover wanted the credit union to be able to help and bring awareness to non-profit organizations in the area and for them “to end the year strong.”

She shared the idea of a giving campaign with OFCU President Kirk Mondy. He agreed to the project, which means donations will be awarded for six weeks, and in time to “help make Santa’s basket a little bigger this year,” Conover said.

The last opportunity to give will be from 1-6 p.m. Dec. 23 when the credit union will sponsor a Red Cross Blood Drive at the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce.

Conover attended the Chamber program’s Gateway to Leadership event featuring non-profits.

“I got to hear how the pandemic had cut into their donation budgets,” Conover explained.

She decided a new way of promoting those in need would be helpful. She wanted to ask the community to nominate not-for-profits to receive donations from the credit union.

The first three recipients are FosterAdopt Connect, Animal Welfare Alliance and Crossroads Ministry.

The credit union works with Foster Adopt and Westwood Baptist Church to help provide Christmas to the children. Not only did COVID stop fundraising efforts, it canceled the holiday meal and party.

Accepting the check for FosterAdopt Connect was program director Mary Haldeman.

Haldeman said, “This donation from Ozark Federal Credit Union will be helpful in purchasing gift cards and gifts for local children affected by the child welfare system. Many children are not in a traditional foster home, where they will receive gifts, so FosterAdopt Connect helps pick up the slack.”

In addition, Haldeman explained, “the majority of the families we serve are children who have moved into their grandparents home when the grandparents were not prepared for this labor of love. Because of COVID-19, many people have been afraid to shop and bring us toys and items for children.

“The donations we are receiving will be used to help buy gift cards, so that grandparents and needy resource families can make Christmas.”

Business owner Francisco Esquivel of Las Margaritas, who nominated Animal Welfare Alliance, was present for the donation to AWA President Marge VanPraag.

VanPraag said, “We certainly appreciate this donation. COVID-19 has impacted our fundraising efforts. We had to cancel our annual ‘Howling at the Moon’ gala this fall, and last spring’s ‘Art for Animals’ had to be held online rather than in person.

“AWA has spent more than $80,000 over the past decade to help qualifying pet owners spay or neuter their dogs and cats. That fund needs financial support now more than ever, with so many people on layoff because of COVID-19.”

AWA’s primary goal is to establish a regional no-kill animal shelter, VanPraag said.

“Meanwhile, we provide modest financial help to qualifying pet owners who need to spay or neuter their dogs and cats. And, with the cooperation of Poplar Bluff Animal Control staff, we help provide basic vaccinations for kittens and puppies in the city shelter,” VanPraag said.

No one was present to accept the check for Crossroads Ministry, which is a faith-based recovery program for men struggling with drug and alcohol addictions.

According to information on the group’s website, “participants are guided to find God’s purpose for their lives and a way out of binding addictions. Entrance into the six-month program is by interview with the director and board members.”

The group partners with area churches who offer faith-based recovery meetings in Poplar Bluff. Men in the Crossroads program learn to serve and give back to their community in many ways. They also work as a team doing construction, moving, roof work, etc. in order to help fund Crossroads Ministry.

The next recipients will be the W.E. Sears Youth Center, the Bread Shed and the Giving Circle.

The money for the youth center will be used to provide Christmas stockings for the youth.

The Bread Shed’s will purchase wagons for the group’s use. The Bread Shed’s goal is to provide food for both the body and the soul.

The Giving Circle raises money to give to non-profits.

While the group has distributed its money this year, Conover explained, the credit union is hoping the donation “will give them an additional boost for next year.”

The credit union worked with Steve Fuchs of Fox Radio Network LLC on this project.