Misawa Operation Warmheart receives $3,000 grant

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MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  The Misawa First Sergeants Operation Warmheart program was awarded a $3,000 AFFN Matching Grant April 13.

This the third year the Armed Forces Financial Network awarded USA Federal Credit Union an AFFN Matching Grant. AFFN's matching contribution allows USA Federal to provide the $3,000 in direct support to Misawa's Operation Warmheart.

AFFN, USA Federal Credit Union and the Operation Warmheart organization work closely together. The grant will assist the organization with their mission to provide for the health and welfare of the assigned Airmen and their families at Misawa Air Base.

The Operation Warmheart chapter at Misawa assists all Air Force families on base.

"We support them in times of need for funding, and financial relief whenever possible," said Master Sgt. Steven Flatt, 35th Mission Support Squadron first sergeant. "In addition, we give 100 percent of our proceeds back to the community every year; so the more we get, the more we can give back as a grant. No repayment is required."

In 2006 Operation Warmheart gave away more than $4,000 in gift baskets for lower income families at Misawa. These baskets included gift certificates for the commissary, food and or turkeys or hams. Direct financial support to families for one emergency or another totaled more than $2,800."

"AFFN is proud to partner with USA Federal Credit Union who continually provides support to the defense and military communities worldwide," said John Broda, AFFN executive vice president. AFFN is an Electronic Funds Transfer Network founded in 1985, serving more than 342 defense credit unions and military banks.

For more than 50 years, USA Federal has supported the US military by meeting their financial needs, said Mary Cunningham, President/CEO of USA Federal Credit Union. "We also support them here and abroad in a more personal way through the AFFN Grant. We are very proud to have received an AFFN Matching Grant again this year. This is an outstanding morale building program and we are honored to partner with them to support our overseas military community in 2007." With more than 61,000 members and $700 million in assets, USA Federal Credit Union operates 22 branches, including Japan and Korea.