The $2.9 billion Coastal Federal Credit Union in Raleigh, N.C.contributed $300,000 Monday to the National Credit Union Foundationand the World Council of Credit Unions that will fund reliefefforts for credit union people affected by Hurricanes Irma andMaria and Tropical Storm Harvey.

While recovery efforts have been well under way in Texas andFlorida, the conditions in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Ricocontinue to be extraordinarily challenging. Coastal President/CEOChuck Purvis is asking other credit unions to give at the samelevel or more.

“If the 100 largest credit unions in the country stepped in toassist in the same way, we could put $30 million in aid into placeto help our credit union family in the U.S. and the Caribbean, thisweek,” he said.

In Puerto Rico, most people still have no power, more than 40%of the population has no access to drinking water and many stillhave to wait for hours in line to get gas, water and food. And inthe Virgin Islands, more than 100,000 have no place to live becausetheir homes have been destroyed, and many residents still have notpower or drinking water, according to national media reports.

“Our team members are running low on food/supplies, the storesare basically empty and they are getting nervous,” saidPresident/CEO of the $196 million JetStream Federal Credit Union inMiami Lakes, Fla., which operates a branch staffed by eightemployees in Carolina, Puerto Rico, about 12 miles east of SanJuan. Last week, JetStream sent five large boxes of essentialsupplies for employees and it plans to send more boxes thisweek.

“There is just three percent of the island with power, andthat’s because they’ve worked first on areas near hospitals andpolice stations,” Mayra Navas, branch manager of theJetStream Federal Credit Union in Puerto Rico, said in an email toKucey. “Unfortunately, none of us live close to those areas, so ourdays end early since the streets get too dark and there have been alot of robberies after hours.”

Puerto Rico’s largest federally insured credit union, CaribeFederal Credit Union of San Juan ($346.3 million in assets, 31,007members) resumed limited operations Sept. 25, allowing withdrawalsof up to $500 in the main office at Hato Rey in San Juan, saidDanely Perez, marketing and business development officer.

Since Sept. 27, the main branch was able to offer full services,including electronic services, she said. However, the Guaynabobranch about 7 miles to the southwest will remain closed as thecredit union assesses damages.

“You have seen recent news with all the struggle that our peopleare enduring but day by day we are seeing recovery,” Perez wrote inan email Monday. “We are also helping our members with financialassistance in their loans and credit cards if they are havingtrouble making their payments.”

According to NCUA data for June, Caribe has 74 employees.Altogether, Puerto Rico has nine federally insured credit unionsbased there with 83,328 members and 206 employees. They have $758.8million in assets.

In addition to no power, some credit union employees have noaccess to drinking water. The national media reported Monday about44% of Puerto Rican residents have no drinking water.

“Everything is uncertain, news says one thing, government has adifferent story,” Navas said. “People that have lost everything areclueless as to what they should do now. Companies that can’toperate because of the damages and their employees (are) withoutpay.”

Jetstream’s branch and its eight employees continue to servemembers but it has had to limit cash withdrawals.

“Some (employees) haven’t been able to gas their cars because ofthe long lines, but we are trying to carpool when someone elseneeds it,” Navas said.

Since issuing a plea for credit unions to help, the Foundationreports it has received more than $1.8 million in assistance sofar.

The Foundation’s CUAid program received $250,000 of the$300,000 Coastal CU contribution for relief efforts in the U.S. andPuerto Rico, while WOCCU’s Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unionsreceived an additional $50,000 to help credit unions in theCaribbean. The Worldwide Foundation is routing assistance throughthe Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions, which is working tosupport credit union staff and members who have lost homes,clothing and food.

“I initially asked our board of directors for less, and theystepped up and added $50,000 to the total,” Purvis said. “Theyimmediately recognized the importance of getting credit unionemployees and volunteers in affected areas back on their feet sothen they will be able to assist their own members. It’s the creditunion thing to do.”

Foundation Executive Director Gigi Hyland said Coastal CUelected to make these grants to the general disaster relief fund inorder to offer up the flexibility to shift funding between theindividual efforts in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico as eachsituation evolves.

“We still haven’t fully assessed the impact to credit unions inPuerto Rico, so having funds in general disaster relief will enableus to act more nimbly once we determine the need,” Hyland said.

To donate to the Foundation’s CUAid efforts, please goto cuaid.coop and contribute to theFoundation’s General Disaster Relief Fund. One-hundred percent ofthe donations through CUAid goes to credit union disaster relief.Credit unions can also visit https://www.woccu.org/give to make adonation for Caribbean Relief Efforts.