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VSECU Supports New Swimming Pool at Camp Downer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 26, 2006

The Vermont State Employees Credit Union recently donated $4,000 to Camp Downer towards the construction of a new $100,000 swimming pool, which will open in June 2007 with the beginning of the camp season.

“The pool is a big, fundamental part of the camp,” said Christine Wood, a member of the Board of Trustees. “We provide swimming lessons because many parents work and cannot bring their children to lessons during the day. Also, there are many communities who do not have swimming pools for the kids, so basic swimming skills are learned at camp.”

The new pool replaces a swimming pool that dates back to 1946 when the camp was first converted to a 4-H camp. Since then, Camp Downer has become an independent operation which hosts 1,000 young campers each summer from all over Vermont and a few from outside the state. According to Sandal Cate, also a member of the Board of Trustees, Camp Downer is “small, traditional camp with all the Vermont history.” She added it is one of the least expensive camps in the state, making it more affordable for Vermont families.

Speaking on behalf of the credit union, Steven D. Post, chief executive officer, expressed a strong commitment to the Vermont values of charity, sense of community and environmental responsibility. In 2006, the credit union contributed $80,000 to more than 100 charitable and civic organizations and projects, including Camp Downer.

“Our members live and work in communities throughout the entire state,” Post said. “Because our members are so diverse, from all walks of life and with such a variety of interests, we try very hard to spread our contributions over a wide range of charities and activities.”

The VSECU’s made contributions to organizations and charities as diverse as the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl in White River Junction, Barre’s Studio Place Arts, the Vermont Foodbank, the nine Clinics for the Uninsured, fuel assistance to seniors through the agencies and councils on aging, the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity’s Growing Money program, a new swimming pool for Sharon’s Camp Downer, the Rutland County Humane Society, Bellows Falls’ Parks Place Community Resource Center and the Vermont Community Loan Fund.

The VSECU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, offering a full range of financial products and services. People eligible to join the credit union live or work in Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, Rutland and Washington counties.

Yvonne M. Garand (left), Business Development officer of the Vermont State Employees Credit Union, presents Christine Wood (center) and Sandal Cate (right), trustees for Camp Downer, with a check for $4,000 towards the construction of a new swimming pool.

For further information, contact:
Yvonne M. Garand, Business Development Officer
ygarand@vsecu.com or 802/800 371-5162, ext. 5197