Churches Co-operative Credit Union (CCCU) has announced that the company will embark on a major fundraising drive for its Churches Supporting Churches Campaign. The fund-raising initiative will be fuelled by a series of benefit performances put on by Churches.

The first fundraiser was really a test, a benefit performance of the Basil Dawkins' play She's Royal which took place on Wednesday, April 29 at the Little Little Theatre in Kingston.

Encouraging support

"We were very encouraged by the public's support and were even more spurred on to give it another shot," said Juven Montague-Anderson, public relations and marketing manager for Churches.

Proceeds from the event will be given to the Kingston Moravian, Lyndhurst Methodist and All Saints churches to support development projects.

Another one of CCCU's fund-raisers is scheduled for August 1, when the credit union will host a performance by the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC). Income from the NDTC benefit will also be donated to local churches for social outreach and development programmes.

She's Royal and the NDTC show are the first in a series of benefit performances that Churches is staging as it presses ahead with an ambitious philanthropic agenda despite the challenging economic times.

Earlier this month, the financial institution rolled out its Churches Supporting Churches Campaign by announcing plans to make at least 10 contributions to churches, charitable organisations and worthy causes, as well as carrying out social outreach and providing support for the performing arts.

In addition to theatre and dance, the company will also be sponsoring musical performances and the visual arts as it undertakes a major fund-raising drive.

Supporting worthy causes

"We fully intend to make good on our promise to give back to our country and our communities by supporting worthy causes, regardless of the current economic challenges," said Montague-Anderson. "We will be making a special effort to support the outreach work and benevolent projects being carried out by the church community as they are the backbone of our company."