Rotary District 5130 and Coast Central Credit Union Continue Support of Local Businesses Affected by Earthquakes

Earthquake damaged home

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Press release from the Rotary Club of Southwest Eureka:

Recovery efforts for Rio Dell businesses still impacted by the 6.4 earthquake that damaged the town in December received a much-needed boost through the combined efforts of Rotarians and Coast Central Credit Union. Rotary District 5130, with a significant and much-appreciated contribution from Coast Central Credit Union, completed a months-long funding project to support local businesses still in need.

A contribution of $8,500 from Coast Central to the Rotary District 5130 Disaster Fund was provided last month and was dispersed through grant funding to four businesses in Rio Dell to help them in their ongoing recovery.

“Small businesses are at the heart of Humboldt County’s economy and quality of life, “ stated James T. Sessa, Coast Central President & CEO. “When they are impacted, we all feel the effects. It’s times like these that truly show the tenacity of our community to come together with a ‘People Helping People’ approach that’s the cornerstone of credit unions. Thanks to our over 77,000 members, we are honored to have the opportunity to provide this type of support. Thank you to Rotary for being an exceptional partner in this effort.”

This is the most recent monetary support provided by District 5130 Rotarians and Rotary groups to help local communities and businesses damaged in that quake.

Immediately after the quake, the Rotary District 5130 Disaster Relief Fund provided thousands of dollars in gift cards for the residents affected. Coast Central Credit Union waived activation fees on those cards to allow residents to receive them before Christmas. Additionally, the credit union provided $5,000 in gift cards to families in the Willow Creek and Rio Dell areas in conjunction with Pay it Forward Humboldt.

“It was inspiring to be a part of Rotary’s swift and compassionate response to emergencies in our community. We were able to begin providing grants within four days after the quake. Having seen what these businesses were going through, how long it was taking for other resources to be made available…we were committed to help make things better–and quickly. Coast Central’s facilitation was key and really appreciated by us—and by those getting those cards,” said Rotarian Ian Schatz, Area Governor for Humboldt and Del Norte County.

Jennifer Strong, District Governor for Rotary District 5130, recently visited Eureka to thank Coast Central for its generous support for Rotary’s actions to help Humboldt residents and businesses and “for everything Coast Central Credit Union has done to help the community through this tough time,” she said.

The Rotary Relief Fund allocated $20,000 to support the Business Recovery Grant Program—an effort that was expanded with an additional $30,000 contributed by the Redwood Regional Rotary Fund which focused on support of small businesses. As a result, more than 35 small businesses in Rio Dell received grants to help them recover and keep their doors open.

“I got a call from a business owner in Rio Dell who wanted to say thank you. They received a gift card from us a couple of days post- earthquake that CCCU covered the activation fee on—and then they received one of our Business Recovery Grants. They said that it helped them get their doors back open and stay open but, most importantly, they felt that people cared,” said Strong. “I think that’s why we all do what we do.”

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