← Back to blog

Clackamas Rallies Fellow Oregon Credit Unions Come Together to Support Ukrainians

Ukraine Blog

Clackamas rallied 14 other Oregon-based credit unions and the Northwest Credit Union Foundation to collectively donate $77,000 to help Ukrainians suffering since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24th. Hundreds of Ukraine civilians have perished in the attack, and more than two million refugees have already fled the country. Those numbers are expected to grow significantly as this humanitarian crisis plays out.

About two-thirds of the funds were donated to the Worldwide Foundation of Credit Unions’ (WFCU) Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund. This fund will help to mitigate both short- and long-term impacts to Ukraine’s credit union system and those who look to it for support, including both employees and members. WFCU is working through Ukrainian credit unions to distribute funds to Ukrainian credit union members and staff who are currently suffering due to the ongoing invasion.

“’Cooperation among cooperatives’ and ‘concern for community’ are two primary principles that guide credit unions around the world,” said Aaron Goff, President/CEO at Clackamas, “the joint effort of Oregon credit unions partnering with organizations with international reach to serve the Ukrainian community shows just how credit unions truly are people helping people.”

Funds were also donated to Mercy Corps, a non-profit organization based out of Portland. Donations will support the on-the-ground efforts in Ukraine, Romania and Poland, where Mercy Corps is currently providing funding to local organizations and working to meet the most urgent humanitarian needs in the region. Mercy Corps is also providing emergency cash assistance and critical support to individuals who are still in or have currently fled Ukraine due to the ongoing crisis.

“The conflict in Ukraine is a human tragedy and we stand united with our credit unions in both the United States, around the World, and those in the Ukraine, to support the humanitarian relief,” said Steven Stapp, President/CEO of Unitus and Board Member of the Worldwide Foundation.