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Contact: Scott Biggs
Ohio Credit Union League
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Manager of Southeastern Ohio Credit Union receives Ohio Credit Union Foundation’s Humanitarian of The Year Award for flood relief work

(High resolution photo available below)

(DUBLIN, OHIO -- May 10, 2005) -- A credit union manager who organized a major relief effort after flooding devastated the City of Marietta, Ohio, last September has been honored with the Ohio Credit Union Foundation’s inaugural Humanitarian of the Year Award.

Marsha Leasure, the manager of $12 million Southeastern Ohio CU in Cambridge and the Ohio Valley Chapter’s Foundation Liaison, was honored for her exceptional leadership and hard work in organizing relief efforts for her Marietta Community after flooding in September 2004 shut down 600 businesses and forced 5,000 residents from their homes. Rains from Hurricane Ivan caused the Muskingum and Ohio River confluence to rise 26 feet in 36 hours. Four months later, the town flooded again.

Southeastern Ohio Credit Union operates a branch in Marietta.

Foundation Chairman Tim Mislansky presented the award to Leasure in the Hyatt Regency Columbus Grand Ballroom during the 2005 Ohio Credit Union Foundation Annual Luncheon, sponsored by American Share Insurance. The Ohio Credit Union Foundation is the philanthropic affiliate of the Ohio Credit Union League, a trade association for Ohio’s 400 credit unions.

In presenting the award, Mislansky recounted Leasure's tireless efforts. "One of our own, a credit union leader for more than 20 years, jumped in to help people who lost everything," Mislansky told the crowd of nearly 400 credit union officials and special guests, which included Stephen M. Delfin, the executive director of the National Credit Union Foundation.

"For six weeks, in addition to running her credit union, she gave out mops and buckets, bleach and cleaning supplies, drinking water, soap, shampoo, diapers and hundreds of other items that each of us take for granted every day," Mislansky said. "She shared tears and hugs with those who were left homeless by the floods and cheered when another truck full of supplies pulled into the relief center. She made vegetable soup and invited those who had nowhere to go into her home for a warm meal."

"Today we thank her for being a true humanitarian," Mislansky said. "And for showing, in tangible, heartfelt ways, that when people are in need, credit unions are there for them."

Leasure used two emergency disaster relief grants totaling $10,000 from the Foundation to purchase supplies. She organized a team of volunteers and purchased and delivered six truckloads of supplies to the flooded city where she was aided by volunteers from Southeastern Ohio CU, Ohio Valley Community CU and Riverview CU. When the river flooded again in January 2005, the Foundation issued a second $500 emergency relief grant.

As Leasure spoke at the Foundation Luncheon, photos of the flood damage were displayed behind her on a giant screen. Nearly one-third of Marietta, a city of 15,000 residents, was submerged as the Ohio River rose more than 26 feet in a span of only 36 hours over one weekend. Washington County in southeastern Ohio was declared a federal disaster area after flood waters in Marietta reached as high as 45 feet -- 10 feet above flood stage.

In accepting the award, Leasure fought back tears as she thanked others who pitched in. "I went to the Community Action office and asked them what they needed. I think their answer was, 'What don't we need?' I explained to the director who I was and what we would like to do. They were grateful and gave me a list of supplies that seemed endless at the time," Leasure said.

"I called family members and credit union members and explained to them what was needed. They did not hesitate to loan their trucks, time and energy to assist in any way possible."

"Even those who had lost much still gave," Leasure recalled. "As I was [pushing] carts full of supplies through the store aisles, people would come up to me and ask if these items were for the flood victims. When I said yes, they would dig deep in their pockets and hand me money and tell me to add more items to the cart."

Leasure thanked the Ohio Credit Union Foundation, Ohio Credit Union League Outreach Manager Sue Helmreich, and the staff of the Washington-Morgan (County) Community Action.

"It is my privilege to accept this award today," Leasure said. "I do so...on behalf of many others who have gone unrecognized for their countless hours of giving."

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Click photo for high resolution version

CUT LINE: Marsha Leasure, the manager of Southeastern Ohio Credit Union in Cambridge, Ohio, accepts the Ohio Credit Union Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year Award.

The Ohio Credit Union Foundation is the philanthropic affiliate of the Ohio Credit Union League. The Ohio Credit Union League, with offices in Dublin, Ohio, is a trade association representing nearly 500 credit unions. Credit unions are not-for-profit cooperative financial institutions owned and democratically controlled by their member/owners and governed by volunteer boards of directors. Ohio credit unions are provide savings, loans, and other consumer financial services to nearly 3 million Ohioans. Nationally, credit unions serve nearly 90 million member/owners. To learn more, visit www.OhioCreditUnions.org.