LMCU raises funds to help TFCU rebuild tornado-flattened credit union

On May 20, 2013, an EF-5 tornado roared through Moore, Okla., killing 24 people and wiping some 12,000 homes and businesses off the map. The tornado took an amazing 17-mile swath.

Employees at Tinker Federal Credit Union (TFCU) had only one place to take shelter. As the tornado approached and warning sirens wailed, the employees locked themselves inside the vault. Freed by first responders, workers emerged to find the entire credit union flattened, except for the vault that saved their lives.

After hearing of the credit union’s destruction, Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU) Director of Business Development and Community Relations Vickie Smith (retired) felt compelled to act. She approached CEO Sandy Jelinski about organizing a relief campaign for the credit union’s employees.

A fundraising campaign was swiftly put into place at all LMCU branch and corporate locations, asking members and employees to contribute to relief efforts. Over the course of just three days, $2,700 was raised to aid TFCU’s employees. LMCU Corporate contributed another $500, and a check for $3,200 was sent to TFCU. The funds will be used to help TFCU employees needing financial assistance in the aftermath of the storm.

"The devastation was unbelievable," says Smith. "They are doing everything possible to assist many staff members who lost homes and possessions."

"LMCU is committed to being an integral part of the communities we serve," says Smith’s successor, Matt Cook. "We also feel it’s important to give our staff and members the opportunity to contribute to areas of need, even beyond our community."

Lake Michigan Credit Union is the largest financial institution headquartered in West Michigan, and the second largest credit union in the state. Assets exceed $2.9 billion, with over 253,000 members.


Get involved:

- Join LMCU - anyone can be a member.
- Visit LMCU’s Facebook page.

Source: Tim Perry, Senior Marketing Copywriter, Lake Michigan Credit Union
Writer: Victoria Mullen, Do Good Editor

Images: Courtesy of LMCU and TFCU