American Eagle’s “Cash Back to the Community” Program Supports Animal Rescue, Community Theatre and Little League

EAST HARTFORD, CONN.–[May 5, 2023]–American Eagle Financial Credit Union (AEFCU) announced the top vote recipients from the latest round of its Cash Back to the Community program. This year’s first-quarter winners—three nonprofits based in Andover, Durham and Southington, Conn.—will receive $27,258 in total donations from the Credit Union for garnering the most votes of 143 entries in this most recent edition of the quarterly philanthropic program. In all, a total of 2,389 votes were cast.

The first three winners of 2023—who will each receive $9,086 from American Eagle—are:

• Boomer’s Best Buddies of Andover, CT
• PaperHouse Productions Theatre of Durham, CT
• Southington West Little League of Southington, CT

“American Eagle’s Cash Back to the Community directly connects our members and the public with our Credit Union’s philanthropic efforts and mission—and we’re thrilled to announce, congratulate, and salute the three organizations the community selected as our latest winners,” said Howard Brady, President & CEO of American Eagle Financial Credit Union.

$325,000 and Counting: About Cash Back to the Community
Since 2020, AEFCU has donated one percent of its credit and debit card interchange income to three nonprofit and/or 501(c)(3) organizations each quarter through the Cash Back to the Community program. Funding for the program is generated each time its members use an American Eagle Financial Credit Union credit or debit card. At the end of each quarter, one percent of the total interchange income – the fee paid for credit and debit card transactions – is distributed to the three top qualified nonprofits as voted on by a combination of the Credit Union’s members and the public.

 To date, Cash Back to the Community has generated $325,137 in donations. Here’s information on this quarter’s recipients:

Boomer’s Best Buddies
Boomer’s Best Buddies is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit rescue organization dedicated to saving companion animals in Connecticut who have been abandoned, abused or neglected. The organization provides the care needed to ensure their health and safety, intending to find them loving, life-long adoptive homes.

“We are so excited to be the recipient of this donation,” said Jennifer Kanaitis, President of Boomer’s Best Buddies Rescue. “As a small animal rescue, the funds are crucial to our cause of rescuing animals from our local shelters and assisting owners who must surrender their pets. We pay for all of our dogs, cats, and rabbits to be spayed/neutered and vaccinated, costs we do not recoup with the amount we ask as the adoption donation. These funds will help us to continue to provide this necessary care. We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity.” To learn more about Boomer’s Best Buddies Rescue, visit https://boomersbestbuddies.com.

East Hartford, CT (April 26, 2023) – American Eagle Financial Credit Union (AEFCU) announced the top vote recipients from the latest round of its Cash Back to the Community program. Pictured left to right:  Jen Kanaitis, Founder and President, Howard Brady, AEFCU President and CEO, Boomer, Kevin Kanaitis, Vice President.

PaperHouse Productions Theatre

PaperHouse Productions is a non-profit arts organization in Durham dedicated to providing theatre opportunities to youth in Middlesex County and is an active member of the local community. The funds will be used for financial aid to children who might otherwise be unable to participate, and to help to replace aging audio equipment.

“As a non-profit children’s theatre company, we are still recovering from lost funds during the pandemic when we had to cancel our summer program two years in a row and turn our primary large production into a small video presentation. This donation will ensure we can provide continued opportunities for local children to get involved in theatrical and musical experiences, year-round,” said PaperHouse Productions Board Chair Karen Feinberg. “Better equipment helps us provide a more professional experience for the kids involved, as well as ensuring their voices are heard during performances after all their hard work.” To learn more about PaperHouse Productions, visit https://paperhouseproductions.weebly.com.

East Hartford, CT (April 26, 2023) – American Eagle Financial Credit Union (AEFCU) announced the top vote recipients from the latest round of its Cash Back to the Community program. Pictured left to right:  Heather McCutchen, Founder and Board Member, Henson Ayotte, Olivia Foell, Kaiya Ayotte, Karen Feinberg, Board Chair, Howard Brady, AEFCU President and CEO, Kiera Foell, Amelia Massaro, Julia Kannam, Board Member.

Southington West Little League

Established in 1971, Southington West Little League is a non-profit organization with the mission to “promote, develop, supervise, and voluntarily assist in all lawful ways, the interest of those who will participate in Little League Baseball and Softball.” The Little League program assists youth in developing the qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well-being.

“Western Little League will be using the donation toward several community benefits,” said President Brian Perrella. “Our primary allocation of funds will be to offset the cost of registration and be able to offer young children an opportunity to play baseball at a very reasonable price. In addition to reduced registration fees for the community, we also provide registration at no cost to families in need. We are also allocating some of the funds to maintenance in the park for all to enjoy.” To learn more about Southington West Little League, visit https://www.southingtonwestbaseball.com.

East Hartford, CT (April 26, 2023) – American Eagle Financial Credit Union (AEFCU) announced the top vote recipients from the latest round of its Cash Back to the Community program. Pictured left to right:  Jay Handel, Safety Director, Howard Brady, AEFCU President and CEO, Brian Noonan, Vice President, Brian Perrella, President.

The nominating period for the next round of Cash Back to the Community is now underway. To learn more about the program or nominate your organization by visiting americaneagle.org/cashback

Established in 1935, American Eagle Financial Credit Union (AEFCU) is a full-service credit union offering checking and savings accounts, credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, business accounts and more. American Eagle offers banking online, through its mobile app, or at one of its 14 branches located in Connecticut. AEFCU has more than 165,000 members, over $2.3 billion in assets, and offers banking services to anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Hartford, Middlesex, Tolland, and New Haven County in Connecticut, and Hampden County in Massachusetts. For more information about American Eagle Financial Credit Union, visit www.americaneagle.org.

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