State Employees' Credit Union (SECU) Members Give Generously for Hurricane Katrina Relief.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, North Carolinians saw the horrific news coverage and photos and felt compelled to respond immediately. The reason was an obvious one - familiarity. The people of this State have faced the wrath of many coastal hurricanes and know the devastating effects first hand. With heavy hearts for the victims of Katrina, State Employees' Credit Union members launched a statewide Hurricane Katrina Relief effort and have contributed over $36,800.

Donations were collected throughout the month of September in all SECU locations across North Carolina. With a variety of fundraising ideas including spaghetti lunches, bake sales and old-fashioned collection jars, credit union members and employees rallied for the cause.

To aid in the distribution of funds, State Employees' Credit Union is currently working with the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation (CCUF) and the National Credit Union Foundation. These Foundations are using the donations to assist as many victims as possible. Steve Elam, Director of the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation states, "At this time, the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation is dispersing $500 to 150 families in Louisiana. The money donated by SECU members will help us reach out to even more families in need. These contributions certainly exemplify the 'People Helping People' spirit of credit unions."

Leigh Brady, Senior Vice President of SECU's Education Services department comments, "SECU members have opened their hearts and their pockets for this worthwhile effort that touches so close to home and proven time and again that the 'People Helping People' philosophy is not just a motto, but a way of life. We are thrilled as an organization to represent our members in the presentation of these funds to the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation and the National Credit Union Foundation."

About SECU

SECU is a non-profit financial cooperative owned by its members. SECU has been providing the employees of the State of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for over 65 years. With more than $12 billion in assets and 1.25 million members, SECU is the second largest credit union in the United States. SECU provides services to members through 190 branch offices, over 850 ATMs, a call center and a website--www.ncsecu.org.

About Carolinas Credit Union Foundation

Carolinas Credit Union Foundation (CCUF) represents the many credit unions in North and South Carolina with a mission to improve the economic and social conditions of credit unions, credit union members, their families and their communities by providing educational opportunities, enhancing childhood development, offering credit union assistance and by providing aid in times of natural and man-made disasters. CCUF has activated a National Disaster Relief Fund to provide a way for funds to be disbursed to any victims of Hurricane Katrina.

About National Credit Union Foundation

National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) is a non-profit, charitable foundation originally chartered in 1980. The Foundation focuses on the needs of consumers and credit unions' unique ability to meet those needs. Widely recognized as the charitable arm of the US credit union movement, NCUF remains closely aligned with the Credit Union National Association.