Contact Information: Contact Information: Tawnya Lancaster Public Relations 408-205-1618 tlancaster@lancaster-group.com Karen Crabtree Technology Credit Union Phone: 408-441-4736 kcrabtree@techcu.com
Technology Credit Union Builds for Families in Need
Tech CU Members and Employees Help Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity Construct Affordable Housing in North San Jose
| Source: Technology Credit Union
SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwire - June 7, 2007) - Twenty members and employees from Technology
Credit Union came out on Friday, June 1st to donate their time and energy
to help construct a new, affordable home in North San Jose for a local
family. The home is part of the Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity Murphy
Avenue Project, which aims to construct six four-bedroom homes along Murphy
Avenue by the end of 2007. One of the largest building projects attempted
by Habitat for Humanity in Silicon Valley, the development promises to give
several deserving families an affordable house in one of the highest priced
real estate markets in the country.
"We had a lot of enthusiasm for this project among our members and
employees -- so much in fact, that we had to turn volunteers away," said
Kathleen Litman, VP of Marketing for Tech CU. "I think a lot of people
empathize with families who are struggling to find affordable housing in
the Bay Area."
Friday's building day was yet another community project that has grown out
of Tech CU's Community Spirit Day, held in February to raise awareness
among individuals about how they can volunteer or donate in 2007.
"Community Spirit Day was the beginning of a year-long initiative for us
that's focused on inspiring people to think about how they can help their
community, as well as giving them opportunities to do so," continued
Litman. "From that, we've developed several projects, such as our
partnership with Vanished Children's Alliance to post photos of missing
children on our online banking page and now, this Habitat for Humanity
building project."
Tech CU member Ranjita Chakravarty and her son were among the volunteers at
Friday's project. "For me, it was great to have someone else organizing
everything so that I could just show up," she explained. "It motivated me
to get out there. I took a vacation day and enjoyed some quality time with
my son doing something completely different from what I do in my day-to-day
work. I was able to experience things I've never done before and be part of
a community of people who are connected through these homes."
In other community news, Tech CU also recently completed a supplies drive
for Girls For a Change (GFC) that brought in dozens of school and office
items like pens, paper, white boards, tape, glue, staplers, envelopes and
more. GFC, an organization that empowers thousands of teen girls to create
and lead social change in their communities, makes use of these items on
various projects throughout the year.
Tech CU will continue to sponsor community service events that support
financial literacy and children, youth and family services in the Bay Area.
To find out more about these or to learn about Tech CU's community outreach
program, go to Tech CU's community page at www.techcu.com/community.
About Technology Credit Union
Technology Credit Union is a full-service, financial institution serving
individuals who work, live, go to school or regularly worship in Santa
Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, San Mateo and San Francisco
counties. Tech CU was started in 1960 and is now among the top 1 percent of
the nation's largest credit unions. With nearly $1.3 billion in assets and
nine full-service branches around the Bay Area, Tech CU is a leader in the
credit union industry.
About Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity
Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity, Inc., an affiliate of Habitat for
Humanity International, was incorporated as a non-profit organization on
July 21, 1986 as Bay and Valley Habitat for Humanity. In 1998, the
organization changed its name to more accurately reflect its location.
Under the direction of a volunteer Board of Directors, Silicon Valley
Habitat works in partnership with low-income families to build affordable,
decent housing in Santa Clara County.