Employees of First Community Credit Union (FCCU) have announced they have raised $5,000 for Project Ignite Light, an organization supporting abused and foster children throughout the region. In addition to the funds, FCCU donated 154 fleece blankets and 405 pairs of pajamas to their “Bags of Hope,” a new record number. This is the fourth consecutive year that FCCU employees have chosen to support this cause. In the last four years, they have donated 576 blankets, 1,457 pairs of pajamas and raised an impressive $21,000!
Each quarter, FCCU’s 250 employees choose an organization to support by raising money and awareness. Abused and foster children were the focus of the first quarter charity, and Project Ignite Light was the chosen organization.
“Through this fundraiser, together we helped over 400 kids begin a new start,” says Susan Long Swen, Event & Community Engagement Specialist with FCCU. She continues, “It was amazing to present all these blankets and pajamas to Project Ignite Light’s Founder, Pebbles Thompson and Vice President of Growth and Development, Amanda Geisler. It’s sad to know organizations like this have to exist, but wonderful to know through our help, we can bring hope to so many kids.”
Project Ignite Light is a faith-based organization that provides children with important items needed when examined at local Children's Advocacy Centers around the United States for sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect. They provide nearly 400 "Bags of Hope" each month to reported abused children in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Each bag is customized for the child's age and gender and includes a blanket, pajamas, undergarments, personal hygiene items, flashlight, book and a water bottle. The organization was founded in 2008 by Jamestown native, Pebbles Thompson. They function out of the old Barnes County North School in Rogers, ND. More information can be found at www.ignitelight.org.
During its 80-year history, First Community Credit Union has grown to be North Dakota’s largest Credit Union with 28 branch locations in 23 communities. As a credit union, FCCU is owned by its members. This is different than other financial institutions which are owned by a select group of stockholders. The Credit Union's profits are returned to the members in the form of better services, accounts, and favorable rates on savings and loans.