For an 11th consecutive year, employees of Benchmark Federal Credit Union (FCU) spearheaded a donation drive to benefit a Chester County nonprofit in need. Benchmark FCU recently presented a check for $2,022 to The Crime Victims' Center of Chester County. Employees raised the funds in 2022 by making contributions each time they wore jeans on Casual Fridays, and Benchmark FCU matched those contributions.

Benchmark FCU president and CEO Daniel Machon Jr. presented the donation to The Crime Victims' Center of Chester County CEO Christine Zaccarelli at Benchmark's headquarters in West Chester. Also taking part in the check presentation were Chris Breslin, Benchmark FCU's vice president of retail services; Donna Rastadter, teller; Barbara McClay, senior EFT ACH processor; and Suzanne Herr, senior loan officer.

This year, Benchmark FCU staff members chose The Crime Victims' Center of Chester County as its recipient because of the organization's ongoing efforts to provide counseling, advocacy, resources and education to victims of crime in Chester County. Major services include a 24-hour hotline for sexual assault victims at 610-692-7273 and victims of other crimes at 610-692-7420. Benchmark also sponsored the organization's Race Against Violence and Fourth Annual BBQ 911. The Crime Victims' Center will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2023 and relies on donations, which can be made anytime at http://www.cvcofcc.org/donate.

Last year, Benchmark FCU made its Casual Fridays donation to Chester County Food Bank. Additional previous recipients have included Friends Association, The Arc of Chester County, Family Lives On Foundation, Good Samaritan Services, Cuddle My Kids, Home of the Sparrow and Lord's Pantry. Benchmark was honored with the 2021 Corporate Partner Award by The Arc of Chester County and named 2020 Business of the Year by the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce.

Since 1940, Benchmark FCU has evolved to provide its members with complete financial services, including free checking accounts, vacation and holiday club accounts, loans, certificates, money market accounts and individual retirement accounts. Anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Chester County is eligible to join Benchmark FCU. For more information, call 610-429-1600 or visit http://www.benchmarkfcu.org.