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From left to right: Christina Akins, Shannon Wheeler, Lisa Whittington, Caleb Scroback, Ashley Berry, Michelle Pye (MCHC Administrative Assistant), Heather Rhymes (MCHC Executive Director), Kristien Scott, and Brad Alexander (Athens Branch Manager)

Bowater Credit Union Member Caleb Scroback has won the $1,000 Pay it Forward prize for the Monroe County Cancer Fund, his favorite non-profit doing good in our area.

Bowater Credit Union asks its members to nominate their favorite non-profits that help people in the counties eligible for credit union membership: Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, and Polk. Up to five $1,000 prizes are awarded each year and the Monroe County Cancer Fund is the fourth winner of 2024.

Mr. Scroback states, “The Monroe County Cancer Fund helps local citizens with cancer by providing financial assistance to offset transportation costs due to limited in-county treatment options and rising gas prices. The Monroe County Cancer Fund reimburses local cancer patients up to $250 annually for transportation costs, calculated at $0.10 per mile for up to 2,500 miles. All funds are directly distributed to patients.

Mr. Scroback explains the importance and impact the money can have for local cancer patients, “Currently, there is a waitlist for individuals eligible for financial assistance from the Monroe County Cancer Fund due to high demand and limited funds. Many applicants wait weeks or months for support. The fund relies entirely on contributions from individuals, businesses, groups, and community partners, including United Way, and is overseen by the Monroe County Health Council. To better meet the needs of local cancer patients, we are intensifying our fundraising efforts.

To learn more about the Monroe County Cancer Fund or donate visit their website at www.monroehealth.org/give.

The Pay it Forward program will begin again in 2025 and will award up to five prizes. Any member of Bowater Credit Union can nominate their favorite non-profit for a $1,000 Pay It Forward prize. The deadline to be considered for the next prize is February 28th, 2025.

Bowater Credit Union began the Pay It Forward program in 2010 to give back to the community it serves. Since the program’s inception, Bowater CU has given $60,000 to various charities making a difference in our community. For more information, visit BowaterECU.org.

Bowater Employees Credit Union is a federally insured credit union offering savings, checking, loans, and financial education to those who live, work, or attend school in the counties of Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, and Polk. They have four branches, over 20,000 members, and $250 million in assets. To learn more about Bowater Employees Credit Union and its services, call 423-336-7268 or visit BowaterECU.org.

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If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview please call Kelsey O’Daniel at 423-303-5615 or email her at [email protected].