At Tralee Credit Union’s AGM in December, the Board of Directors announced the approval of a fund of €260,000 to be shared with the community over the next four years. Mr Tom Lawlor Chairman announced that in addition to its “normal” sponsorships amounting to €25,000 and the annual education fund of €10,000 it is committed to approving €30,000 each year to support significant community projects”. The fund, named as the Lauri Healy Community Project Fund, amounting to €120,000 is in honour of founder director Lauri Healy and will support community based projects over the next four years. Speaking to Sean Roche Chairman of the Lauri Healy Community Project Fund Committee “Tralee Credit Union is committed to playing its part in the community. The funding from Tralee Credit Union will encourage and complement the fantastic work that community groups do to make all our lives better. The Project Fund will assist in making a significant contribution to community based projects and initiatives within our common bond throughout Tralee, Castleisland and Killorglin. We aim to allocate €30,000 each year, over the next four years. We are now accepting funding applications and welcome applications from groups and organisations. Closing date for receipt of the first round of applications this year is Friday 31st of March 2017. Applications Forms are available to download on our website www.traleecu.ie or to collect at our offices in Tralee, Castleisland and Killorglin”
Lauri Healy was one of Tralee Credit Union’s founding directors when it was set up in 1968. Lauri was a strong believer in the credit union message and ideals. “People Helping People” grounded in credit union’s co-operative values was at the heart of Lauri’s commitment to the movement. By working together through co-operation, people could achieve far more together than individually on their own. A board of director for over 30 years with Tralee Credit Union, Lauri served with Chapter 23 (Kerry and Mid West credit unions) for as many years supporting the development of other credit unions and served as a board member of the Irish League Of Credit Unions where he helped shape the movement in its early days.