The RCU team puts together care packages for local foster youth at the credit union's biennial Day of Impact. [Photo courtesy RCU]
Nearly 4,000 care bags and birthday boxes will bring smiles to the faces of local foster youth, as Redwood Credit Union this week wrapped up its latest employee-volunteer Day of Impact.
On Oct. 13, around 1,000 RCU employees took part in the credit union’s biennial day of community give-back, in which staff assembled enough care packages to distribute among all foster youth in the San Francisco and North Bay counties it serves. RCU is partnering with nonprofit Foster Love in this year’s DOI project.
In an announcement of the foster packages, RCU stressed that the gifts are “more than supplies.”
“They provide compassion during one of the most vulnerable moments in these children’s lives,” RCU said in the release, noting that when children enter foster care, they sometimes must quickly pack up their belongings—”often into a provided trash bag”—and begin a stressful transition into unfamiliar surroundings.
Over 60% of children in foster care arrive with nothing but the clothes on their backs, according to Foster Love, a nonprofit advocate for foster youth.
Brett Martinez, president and CEO of Redwood Credit Union, applauded the efforts of RCU employees, highlighting the need to “ensure current and future generations are strong, resilient and continue to thrive.”
“This event brings our team together in a shared purpose, connecting each person to something bigger than themselves,” Martinez said.
Resources from this year’s Day of Impact will be donated to agencies and nonprofit organizations who will directly place them in the hands of foster children and families in San Francisco, Sonoma, Marin, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties, the announcement detailed. For information, visit redwoodcu.org.
