The Hanscom FCU Charitable Foundation held its fourth annual meeting yesterday at the Hanscom FCU headquarters on Hanscom AFB. Foundation Chairman Alan Hart spoke to a crowd of supporting members.
“I am pleased to report the past year’s accomplishments,” said Mr. Hart. “We had a successful year supporting several worthy causes that have a direct impact on our community.”
The largest donation was to Home Base, a partnership of the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital. This program provides clinical care and conducts research to support veterans experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress or traumatic brain injury.
“We have donated $300,000 to Home Base over the last three years,” Mr. Hart noted. “This program is making a real difference to the men and women who have served our country and now need our help.”
Crossroads for Kids received $10,000 in support of its programs for at-risk youth in greater Boston. This organization provides students with summer and school year programs that support them to become economically independent citizens, socially responsible leaders and emotionally connected adults.
Other donations in the past year went to Boston Children’s Hospital through sponsorship of two runners in the Boston Marathon. The Foundation matched donations provided by Hanscom FCU members and supporters, raising over $50,000 for pediatric brain research. This is the 17th consecutive year Hanscom FCU, and now the Hanscom FCU Charitable Foundation, has participated in the Boston Marathon for charity.
Fundraising activities also included a golf tournament, raising $14,000 in its first year and increasing to $50,000 in its second event held in September 2016.
Currently, the Foundation is conducting a raffle to benefit the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. With a $10,000 cash prize, the raffle has proved popular with members and will bring thousands of dollars to help homeless families access secure housing.
Rounding out the year, the Foundation provided matching funds for the Hanscom FCU team at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Burlington, MA and donated $1,500 to the Lincoln School Foundation to support activities on Hanscom AFB.
The Hanscom FCU Charitable Foundation is a 501c3 organization chartered in 2012 to support the Hanscom FCU member community. In choosing charities, the Foundation emphasizes programs that benefit veterans and active duty military, children’s health and medical research, and families struggling with homelessness.