Merrimack Valley Credit Union Donates 3,904 Pairs Of Shoes

LAWRENCE, MA — Merrimack Valley Credit Union has recently donated $10,000 and 3,905 pairs of gently used shoes to Lazarus House Ministries in Lawrence and GiftsToGive in Acushnet. The donations came from donations from members over the past six weeks, matching each pair with a $5 donation. The donation drive was conducted by MVCU and Bridgewater Credit Union, which is a division of MVCU.

The members of the two divisions and staff turned out in droves, almost doubling the goal of 2,000 pairs of shoes, and amplifying the positive impact to both of the charitable organizations, said MVCU in a statement. The MVCU branches in Haverhill, Lawrence, Methuen and North Andover, as well as in Plaistow and Seabrook in New Hampshire, collected 2,953 pairs of shoes and donated $7,563 to Lazarus House. The Seabrook branch alone donated 245 pairs of shoes, MVCU officials said. BCU branches in Bridgewater, Fairhaven, Plymouth and Quincy collected 952 pairs of shoes and donated $2,437 to GiftsToGive.

"We cannot thank our members enough for their contributions to Lazarus House Ministries and GiftsToGive," said John J. Howard, president and CEO of Merrimack Valley Credit Union. "With help from the community, both organizations can continue their meaningful work of transforming lives. Now that Merrimack Valley Credit Union and Bridgewater Credit Union have completed their merger, the combined organization is looking to spearhead more projects just like this, working with our members to make the communities in which we live and work a better place."

Lazarus House Ministries provides physical, emotional and spiritual shelter from life's hardships, offering guests opportunities to get back on their feet. The organization provides food through its soup kitchen and pantry, housing through its emergency shelter, temporary shelter and transitional housing programs, and work preparation training. The donated shoes are available through the Lazarus House thrift stores, which provide clothing and goods at reduced rates. For those who cannot afford to purchase items, or those who are transitioning from homelessness, the items are offered free of charge.

"We are overwhelmed by the generosity and support Lazarus House has received through this shoe donation drive," said Bridget Shaheen, executive director of Lazarus House Ministries. "Thousands of families will benefit not only from the wonderful donated shoes that have been available in our thrift stores, but from the monetary donation we received that will help us keep the kitchen stocked and training programs running. Thank you to Merrimack Valley Credit Union and its members who made this incredible gift possible and for the effort and heart put into this project. Thank you especially for caring about and supporting our guests."

Lazarus House Ministries' thrift store coordinator J.C. McGuire said, "This brilliant campaign has created quite the buzz of excitement for our guests in all three Thrift Stores. The volume and quality of the shoes far exceeded our expectations and as a result, there were many beaming smiles on the faces of the people we serve. Well done and thank you!"

GiftsToGive relies on the help of thousands of local kids to transform donated clothes, toys and books into thousands of individual gift packages. Hundreds of local agencies and caregivers can request these gift packages or local homeless and at-risk children. Donated kids shoes are being used for gift packages, while adult shoes are available in the organization’s thrift store, which helps offset its operating costs.

"We are extremely grateful for the donations from Bridgewater Credit Union and its members,” said Jim Stevens, CEO and founder of GiftsToGive. “With more than 50,000 South Coast children living in poverty, the need for donations like this is overwhelming. Thank you to Bridgewater Credit Union for its work and serving as a bright light in our community.”

For more information about Merrimack Valley Credit Union and Bridgewater Credit Union, visit www.mvcu.com or www.bridgewatercu.com.