GRAFTON _ As many local residents know, giving back to the community has become second nature to Grafton Suburban Credit Union (GSCU). For decades, the community-centric financial institution has given back to many organizations in need, and in the most recent months, both Grafton High School and Community Harvest Project, Inc. have been beneficiaries, each receiving $1,000 grants from the credit union.
Grafton’s High School football team was the 2012 Division IV Central Mass Super Bowl champions, and donations were being sought from community members to help the team celebrate its win - the first in 36 years.
“At year-end, we realized that the credit union was having an unusually good year. In our industry, that always means giving something back to those who helped in our success. We have a spectacular partnership with Grafton schools. The town was so proud of the football team’s Super Bowl victory, we knew that we should help them to celebrate,” said GSCU’s President and CEO Ed Lopes.
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The credit union’s generous gift helped the team get closer to their goal of raising $11,000.
"As a team and also an alumnus of Grafton High School, we appreciate the support of the community, and the generous donation from the Grafton Suburban Credit Union," said Grafton High Football Head Coach Mike Ross.
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Senior quarterback and GHS Football Co-Captain Doug Oevermann concurred. "The support from the community as a whole has added to the excitement of winning the Division IV Super Bowl. Thank you very much to the Grafton Suburban Credit Union and others for helping us reach our fund-raising goal."
In addition to helping the team celebrate its victory, the credit union made a similar donation to the Community Harvest Project, Inc.
“We tried to balance our support for athletics with support of other social or academic causes,” Lopes said.
Community Harvest Project, Inc., which is located at the Brigham Hill Community Farm in North Grafton, (with additional operations at White’s Farm in North Grafton and Cheney Orchards in Brimfield), is dedicated to building an engaged and healthier community by bringing volunteers together to grow fresh fruits and vegetables.
In 2012, the organization donated just over 250,000 pounds of produce, which translates to just over 995,000 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables for families in the Central Massachusetts communities.
“Community Harvest Project, Inc. is among our favorite causes because it makes a significant and growing impact on feeding the hungry. The cause is noble; Grafton Suburban is glad to do some small part to help,” he continued.
“Grafton Suburban Credit Union has been a wonderful community partner. They have provided financial support, sponsored our Harvest Home event the past six years, and members of the GSCU team have volunteered countless hours to help our organization in a variety of capacities,” said Community Harvest Project, Inc. Executive Director Kristin Bafaro. “We are so thankful to GSCU and our other volunteer and funding partners throughout the community. We couldn’t do it without them!”
Since its inception in 1966, GSCU has contributed to numerous local, regional, civic, and non-profit organizations, and continues to designate special days for member appreciation and community-minded charitable giveback.
For more information on GSCU, visit www. graftonsuburban.com.
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