(Riverside, Calif.) Dec. 20, 2018 – More than 500 children made Christmas crafts and enjoyed “Story Time with Santa” recently during the 29th Annual Festival of Trees to raise funds for pediatric services at Riverside University Health System Medical Center. Altura Credit Union, headquartered in Riverside, California, staffed and sponsored Story Time, which is part of the four-day festival.

Eight Altura employee volunteers assisted the hundreds of children as they made reindeer bell necklaces after listening to Santa Claus read them holiday-themed stories.

In addition, Altura fielded a volunteer team to decorate a “Rose & Gold” themed tree, one of 50 themed Christmas trees for the Festival of Trees. After the festival, the trees are purchased by individuals and businesses, with the funds going to Riverside University Health System.

The festival is a holiday highlight in Riverside, attracting more than 30,000 people over four days. It also is the single largest fundraising event for the Riverside University Health System Foundation, bringing in around $500,000. The funds are used for lifesaving equipment and programs for the Pediatric Unit, including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and the Child Abuse and Neglect Unit.

Photo Caption:

Altura Credit Union’s volunteer Christmas Tree decorating team with Altura’s “Rose & Gold” themed tree for the 29th Annual Festival of Trees in Riverside, Calif., which this year raised about $600,000 for pediatric services at Riverside University Health System Medical Center. Altura also sponsored “Story Time with Santa” for more than 500 local children, which also includes a holiday-related craft.

Based in the Inland Empire for 60 years, Altura Credit Union serves more than 127,000 Members, has $1.352 billion in total assets and operates 13 branch offices in Riverside County.  Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Riverside and San Diego counties; selected cities in San Bernardino and Orange counties; as well as U.S. Military, U.S. Government and Civilian employees working at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County; and retirees of the United States Armed Forces. For more information on Altura, visit www.alturacu.com, or call 1-888-883-7228.