AVENTURA, Fla. — The Defense Credit Union Council said it raised $25,000 for the United Service Organizations during its recent 2026 Conference with a Purpose fundraiser, bringing the initiative’s total contributions to $548,000 since it began in 2003.
The fundraising was held in conjunction with DCUC’s Annual Conference and continued the organization’s tradition of supporting groups serving military members, veterans and their families, according to DCUC.
“Our Conference with a Purpose reflects an important part of DCUC’s longstanding mission and the unwavering commitment of defense credit unions to serving all who serve,” DCUC President and CEO Anthony Hernandez, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, said in a statement.
Hernandez said credit unions from the United States and other countries come together each year for the conference to discuss issues affecting their service to members while supporting military and veteran communities.
“We are deeply grateful to our members, sponsors, and attendees whose generosity made this year’s contribution to the USO possible,” Hernandez said.
The Fundraising
Fundraising activities included an online silent auction and a 50/50 drawing, as well as sales of mulligans and gimme strings during DCUC’s annual VADM Vincent Lascara Golf Tournament.
Conference attendees also participated in a “Giveback for the USO” event sponsored by Visa, during which they assembled care packages for the USO to distribute to U.S. service members.
DCUC said the service project provided conference attendees an opportunity to directly support military personnel while raising additional awareness of the USO’s work.
The USO was selected as the 2026 Conference with a Purpose beneficiary because of its longstanding support for U.S. service members and their families, according to DCUC.
