NY Check Cashers Join Western Union Foundation to Donate $30,000 to American Red Cross

NEW YORK CHECK CASHERS JOIN WESTERN UNION FOUNDATION
TO DONATE $30,000 TO AMERICAN RED CROSS
FOR DISASTER RELIEF & RECOVERY PROGRAMS IN PUERTO RICO
 
 
 The Financial Service Centers of New York (FSCNY), the trade organization that represents the check-cashing industry in the State of New York, has joined forces with the Western Union Foundation to donate $30,000 to the American Red Cross for hurricane disaster relief and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico.
The amount includes $15,000 collected from FSCNY member organizations during a cash-donation drive held at participating check-cashing locations across the state, many of which also serve as money transfer sites for Western Union. The $15,000 collected at the check-cashing locations was then matched dollar-for-dollar by the Western Union Foundation, a separate 501(c)(3) organization.
In total, FSCNY has helped raise more than $55,000 in donations for hurricane recovery and rebuilding programs in Puerto Rico, including $25,414 donated last month to the Hispanic Federation’s “Unidos” Disaster Relief & Recovery Program, created to meet hurricane-related needs and recovery initiatives in the U.S. territory.  Thousands of New Yorkers participated in this humanitarian effort, reaffirming New York’s commitment to help Puerto Rico develop the resources to rebuild stronger a stronger community.
“The success of the cash-donation drive held at participating check-cashing locations in New York sends a strong message that New Yorkers remain in solidarity with Puerto Rico.  As we start the New Year, recovery and rebuilding work on the island is far from over and support from the public and institutions is still much needed.  I thank the Western Union Foundation for joining us in this humanitarian initiative,” said Andrew Siegel, Chairman of FSCNY.
More than 360 FSCNY check-cashing locations participated in the fundraising campaign as “cash donation points” throughout the month of November.
Jason Carballo, Chief Operating Officer at Castle Financial Service and Chairperson of FSCNY’s Government Committee, said: “Western Union and the Western Union Foundation have been strong allies of the check-cashing industry in New York since the industry’s inception over 70 years ago.  I congratulate them for the remarkable concern, solidarity and generosity shown to Puerto Rico – a place that is so dear to the industry’s employees, many of whom are of Puerto Rican descent.”
About FSCNY (Financial Service Centers of New York): 
The Financial Service Centers of New York is the industry’s leading voice on legislative, regulatory, and business issues and the leading advocate for the rights of consumers to access basic financial services in New York. The New York check cashing industry consists of approximately 520 check cashing locations, which employ nearly 4,000 New York residents. Nearly 80% of employees are African American and Latino. The industry is composed largely of small businesses that are located in the working class neighborhoods that have historically underserved by financial institutions. The industry cashes nearly 20 million checks annually with a face value of nearly $11 billion. For more information about FSCNY, visit www.fscny.org.
About the Western Union Foundation:
The Western Union Foundation is a separate charitable corporation that is tax-exempt under §501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, contributions to which are tax-deductible for US income tax purposes. The Foundation receives support from the Western Union Company, its employees, agents and business partners. The Foundation funds efforts to connect underserved populations to the global economy through education and supports humanitarian relief for communities in crisis. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com/blog/foundation.
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