Pat Brekken, President of Richfield Bloomington Credit Union, is chair of the Minnesota Credit Union Fundraising Committee in charge of raising funds for Homes for Our Troops.

Homes for Our Troops is a national, non-profit, non-partisan organization committed to assisting severely injured and disabled servicemen and women and their immediate families. They work with local contractors to build new homes that are handicap-accessible, often for veterans living with multiple amputations or with spinal cord injuries.

In conjunction with this year’s Republican National Convention being held in St. Paul, the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) is teaming up with Homes for Our Troops and the Committee on Arrangements for the 2008 Republican National Convention to raise funds necessary to construct a specially-adapted home in the St. Paul area. A parallel home building project is taking place in Denver, the site of the August Democratic National Convention. Credit Union involvement in both states is being coordinated by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA).

The St. Paul house is being built for Sergeant Marcus Kuboy, a lifelong Minnesota resident. Sgt. Kuboy served three years of active duty for the Minnesota National Guard until sustaining injuries from an improvised explosive device (IED) that exploded under the vehicle he was riding in while patrolling the outskirts of Fallujah, Iraq. Sgt. Kuboy was ejected from the vehicle and sustained severe injuries to his legs, his left arm, jaw, as well as having his back broken. Nine months and eight surgeries later, Sgt. Kuboy was recovering, but a serious bone infection may still require the amputation of his left leg.

Pat Brekken was asked about his credit union's involvement with this program and he had this to say, "As you know, the credit union movement centers around a “people helping people” philosophy. When credit unions see a need in their communities, they do what they can to help. This philosophy is a large part of what makes working for RBCU such a pleasure and I am proud that RBCU is part of the larger Minnesota credit union efforts on projects such as this."

Governor Pawlenty has said, “As Minnesotans and Americans, we are all so proud of our heroes serving in the United States military. We need to thank them both with our words and our deeds. Homes for Our Troops and Minnesota credit unions should be commended for showing their appreciation and support by building a new home for Sgt. Kuboy.”

The goal of Minnesota Credit Unions is to raise $150,000 towards the cost of building this home. Contributions are being accepted through the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation (www.mncufoundation.org).

###