RTN GoodWorks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, public charitable foundation affiliated with Merrimack Valley Credit Union that fosters financial wellness and promotes financial literacy and community involvement. Founded in 2011, the RTN GoodWorks Foundation is a natural outgrowth of the Credit Union’s commitment to community activities and financial literacy as a key component of financial health efforts.
The Officer Paul Tracey Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established with a $10,000 donation from Merrimack Valley Credit Union's GoodWorks Foundation and a $10,000 donation from the Credit Union. The scholarship will be given annually to one graduating Waltham High School senior who wants to pursue a career in Law Enforcement or Public Safety.
This initiative was launched in response to Officer Tracey’s tragic death in the line of duty on December 6, 2023. He had served with the Waltham Police Department for 28 years. He is survived by his wife Kristin, who is also a law enforcement officer, and their two children. More detailed information will be available in early 2025.
Throughout this past year, the Foundation made donations to community organizations and partners, including sponsoring dinners at the Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen in Waltham, which we have long supported.
The Foundation made donations that assisted credit unions affected by devastating hurricanes in Florida and North Carolina in the fall. MVCU made matching donations so that together MVCU and the GoodWorks Foundation donated $5000 for disaster relief in the two affected areas.
On Giving Tuesday 2024, the Foundation supported $750 to each of the following community non-profits -- Africano Waltham, Essex County Community Foundation’s Greater Lawrence Summer Fund, Latinos en Accion, and Waltham and Why Me, Worcester.
Started as a grassroots effort to help Credit Union members and staff during the pandemic, the Foundation's Circle of Hope continues to help individual members who are identified by branch staff as needing some assistance during a difficult time. Funds are raised through individual contributions made from Credit Union staff and Foundation Board members and are dispersed discreetly as $200 or $250 gift cards from local stores selling groceries.
During spring semester, we sponsored money management seminars for middle school students from Our Lady's Academy in Waltham. During the annual Financial Literacy month of April, we hosted an interactive event at our Waltham Branch for Africano Waltham students. We presented a Basics of Money Management: Your Money, Your Future seminar that introduced financial concepts, along with a branch tour, learning about job/career opportunities at MVCU and in the credit union industry, which was followed by a pizza lunch.
We look forward to continuing our work and appreciate your help as we support our communities, increase access to financial education and promote life-long financial well-being.