#United States #North Carolina #PACU Foundation #Piedmont Advantage #Winston-Salem

PACU Foundation Concludes Charitable Efforts with Lasting Impact

After five impactful years of supporting various charities across central North Carolina, the PACU Foundation has officially concluded its charitable operations. With a mission to uplift communities, the foundation has marked its exit with a generous final distribution of funds to several local organizations that serve those in need.

Founded in 2020, the PACU Foundation has successfully raised a remarkable total of $250,894 through contributions from Piedmont Advantage Credit Union members, employees, local businesses, and community supporters. The aim was to enhance the capacity of local charities to provide essential services, educational opportunities, and financial assistance to those facing challenges.

As Piedmont Advantage Credit Union prepares for its merger with Truliant Federal Credit Union, the PACU Foundation has chosen to distribute its remaining funds to seven organizations that have been supported in the past. Each of these charities received a generous amount of $10,011. The organizations that benefited from this final act of kindness include:

1. Education Over Debt Foundation: This organization provides scholarships to African American high school students in Mecklenburg County. Moreover, it supports undocumented high school students of color in their pursuit of citizenship and educational opportunities.

2. Help, Incorporated's Square One Family Justice Center: Located in Rockingham County, this center aids survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, and human trafficking by offering them various comprehensive support services that lead to safety and financial stability.

3. Mooresville Area Christian Mission: It specifically addresses issues of intergenerational poverty through crisis assistance and educational programming, helping families in Iredell County regain stability.

4. A Storehouse for Jesus: This volunteer-led ministry serves communities in Davie County and surrounding areas by providing essential resources such as food, clothing, and medical assistance to individuals facing hardships.

5. Winston-Salem Rescue Mission: With a mission to provide Christian-based recovery programs for men, this organization also offers food, clothing, medical, and dental care services to families in need.

6. Winston-Salem Street School: This private alternative high school helps at-risk students earn their high school diplomas through a holistic program that strengthens them academically, socially, physically, and spiritually.

7. The Women's Resource Center of Greensboro: This organization promotes women's self-reliance through tailored assessments and resource coordination, enhancing access to vital community resources.

The farewell to operations for the PACU Foundation is emblematic of a bittersweet yet significant chapter. Jean Golden-Rumer, President of the PACU Foundation, expressed her sentiments on this occasion by stating, "Five years ago, we set out with a simple belief that when a community comes together, lives can change. Thanks to the generosity and support from so many people, that's exactly what transpired."

A highlight of the foundation's final chapter included the overwhelming success of its last fundraising event, the Flying Colors Charity 5K and Fun Run, which alone raised $54,754, bolstered by a matching contribution of $27,377 from Truliant. This event demonstrated the continuous community effort to support charitable work even as the foundation wraps up its mission.

Dion Williams, President and CEO of Piedmont Advantage, echoed Golden-Rumer's sentiments, noting that the PACU Foundation reflected the best qualities of their credit union ethos. "Its purpose was never just about making donations but rather investing in organizations that strengthen our communities and improve lives every day," he remarked.

Although the PACU Foundation's operational period has come to a close, the impact of its work will resonate throughout the community and continue to support the organizations it championed for years to come. The legacy of the PACU Foundation serves as a reminder that when individuals unite for a common cause, significant and lasting changes can indeed occur in their communities.

About PACU Foundation

The PACU Foundation was established as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to enhancing financial literacy, education, and training access, alongside disaster and emergency assistance for residents facing financial hardships across the Triad and Charlotte communities.

About Piedmont Advantage Credit Union

Headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Piedmont Advantage Credit Union has served nearly 28,000 members since its inception in 1949. As a not-for-profit cooperative financial institution, it operates six branches and 11 ATMs across six counties in the region, with a proposed merger with Truliant Federal Credit Union currently underway.