HAVERHILL, MASS — For the last month, Northeast Community Credit Union collected donations from staff, members and people in the community to supply US Marines with well needed supplies. Yielding more than 200 pounds of supplies, the drive was a huge success due to the generosity of members in the community, especially the American Legion and the children from Saint Joseph School of All Saints Parish. The donations will be used to create care packages for CPL Adam Powell and his unit. CPL Powell is currently stationed in Iraq.

Members of the NCCU Activities Committee stand with Saint Joseph School of All Saints Student Council officers. Saint Joseph School held their own drive for the military and donated the items to the credit union’s Military Care Package drive. From left to right: Erica LeMire, NCCU; Jeremy Kamari, Saint Joseph School; Ryan Hartung, Saint Joseph School; Nicole Toscano, Saint Joseph School; Danielle Martin, Saint Joseph School; Tara Gillen, NCCU.

After hearing about the war in Iraq in their history class, students at Saint Joseph School of All Saints decided they wanted to do something for the troops. Through the Student Council, the students elected to hold their own drive and donate all of the items they collected to the credit union. Students from the nursery program through eighth grade brought in not only necessities, but also some niceties – things like handmade soaps and powders, for the men and women in CPL Powell’s unit.

“Every month our Student Council chooses a community service project in which to become involved,” said Carol Simone, principal of Saint Joseph School. “This month the students felt strongly about supporting the troops. They liked the idea of being able to combine an act of generosity with a current event.”

NCCU Head Teller Neva Powell stands with some of the packages that will be sent to her son, CPL Adam Powell. The credit union held a supplies drive to supply CPL Powell and some 70 members of his unit with supplies. CPL Powell is stationed in Iraq.

The drive was sponsored by the Northeast Community Credit Union Activities Committee, an employee based group within the credit union that orchestrates monthly events. The events are meant to be both fun and serve as a fundraiser to support worthy causes. Two years ago the credit union mailed monthly care packages to an employee’s husband who was stationed in Iraq. This time, they’re supporting one of their employee’s sons. Neva Powell, head teller at the Cushing Avenue branch, has three sons in the military.

“We are so pleased to be able to give something back to the men and women fighting on behalf of our country” stated Peter DiBenedetto, NCCU’s Treasurer/CEO. “To experience the generosity of so many people, including organizations like the American Legion and the Student Council at Saint Joseph, through their contributions, is heartwarming.”

The Activities Committee is planning on holding another drive for the troops in the early summer.

Northeast Community Credit Union is a community-based credit union. Founded in 1934, Northeast Community Credit Union provides a wide array of financial services, including home mortgages, free checking and online bill pay as well as complimentary financial planning services for all members through a partnership with Northeast Planning Associates. The credit union serves more than 11,000 members in the Essex County, MASS; Middlesex County, MASS; and Rockingham County, NH areas. For more information, call 978-374-4533.