American Heritage Federal Credit Union Assists Family with Three Adopted Sets of Twins

Philadelphia, PA— Hythem and Lisa Salem are two very deserving parents. When they discovered their 6-year-old twins, who they had adopted from Russia, had a set of 10-year-old twin sisters and 11-year-old twin brothers, they did all they could to reunite their children with their siblings.

Employees of the Horsham branch of American Heritage Federal Credit Union present Hythem Salem with a check for his family. From left to right are: Branch Manager Aaliyah Caesar, Salem, Celeste Tompkins and Katherine Beakley.

American Heritage FCU wanted to help, and started by setting up a fund for donations to the family. But American Heritage employees wanted to do more. On Friday, May 7, 2004, American Heritage Federal Credit Union presented the Salem family with a $1,000 check to help offset the costs of adopting four more children from Russia. The money was donated by employees who "purchased" the privilege of dressing down on Mondays in the month of April. The Salems, of Telford, Pa, already provide a loving home for twins Sophia and Joseph. The family must fly to Russia two more times, once to meet their new children, and once to bring them home. American Heritage is helping its member, Hythem, and his family, with the expensive of flying to and from Russia, paying to adopt the children, and raising these six very special brothers and sisters.

Donations may be made to the Salem Unite A Family Fund account at American Heritage Federal Credit Union, Commonwealth Corporate Center, 101 Tournament Drive, Horsham, Pa, 19044.

American Heritage Federal Credit Union provides affordable financial services to over 70,500 member-owners. Founded in 1948, the credit union now has 14 offices in Bucks and Montgomery Counties and Philadelphia.

World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. WOCCU promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. WOCCU advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.

WOCCU has implemented more than 275 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 53,000 credit unions in 100 countries serve 188 million people. Learn more about WOCCU's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.