LOWELL – In September 2016, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union experienced the sudden and devastating loss of Steve Jones, Vice President of Community Development. Steve, a 20-year veteran of the Credit Union, worked tirelessly to support numerous organizations within the Greater Lowell community, and was loved by so many for his warmth, genuine compassion and selfless nature.

To honor his memory, the Credit Union instituted the Steve Jones Legacy Fund through its We Share A Common Thread Foundation to collect donations to benefit the many non-profits Steve was so passionate about. Immediately after the Legacy Fund was established, donations from friends, family, Jeanne D’Arc employees and gracious supporters poured in.

Today, the Credit Union is proud to announce that the Steve Jones Legacy Fund has raised more than $100,000 over the past year. The Credit Union recently distributed the first donations to the following organizations, all of which were dear to Steve: A Bed For Every Child, Greater Lowell YMCA, Town of Chelmsford Scholarship Committee, My Father’s House, Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Chelmsford Youth Basketball League, Catie’s Closet, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Lowell.

Representatives from each of the organizations joined the Credit Union at the UMass Lowell River Hawks hockey game on Friday, October 6, 2017 to honor and remember Steve, who had such an extraordinary impact on the local community. 

“Giving back to the community was so important to Steve”, said Mark S. Cochran, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union. “While he is greatly missed, this fund will allow us to continue Steve’s legacy for years to come,” he added.

At the time of his passing, Steve sat on the Boards of Cultural Organization of Lowell (COOL), Whistler House Museum of Art, My Father’s House, Greater Lowell YMCA, Lucy’s Love Bus, Town of Chelmsford Scholarship Committee, Chelmsford Youth Basketball League and Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union’s We Share a Common Thread Foundation.

The Credit Union will continue to disburse donations from the Steve Jones Legacy Fund to area non-profits on an annual basis. Information on how to make a donation to the Fund can be found at www.weshareacommonthread.org.

Photo: Recipients of the first disbursement of the Steve Jones Legacy Fund joined Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union at the UMass Lowell River Hawks Hockey game on Friday, October 6th. (From left) Kevin Coffey, Executive Director of My Father’s House; Debbie Callery, Assistant Executive Director and Community Relations of the Merrimack Valley Food Bank; Mark S. Cochran, President & Chief Executive Officer of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union; Mickey Cockrell, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Catie’s Closet; Amy Pessia, Executive Director of the Merrimack Valley Food Bank; and Bridget Quinn, Director of the Volunteer Service Center at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Lowell.