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American Eagle Financial Credit Union announced the top vote recipients from the latest round of its Cash Back to the Community program. This year’s first-quarter winners – three nonprofits based in Andover, Durham and Southington – will receive $27,258 in total donations from the credit union for garnering the most votes of 143 entries in this most recent edition of the quarterly philanthropic program. In all, a total of 2,389 votes were cast.

“American Eagle’s Cash Back to the Community directly connects our members and the public with our Credit Union’s philanthropic efforts and mission – and we’re thrilled to announce, congratulate, and salute the three organizations the community selected as our latest winners,” Howard Brady, president & CEO of American Eagle Financial Credit Union, said in a statement.

Since 2020, AEFCU has donated one percent of its credit and debit card interchange income to three nonprofit and/or 501(c)(3) organizations each quarter through the Cash Back to the Community program. Funding for the program is generated each time its members use an American Eagle Financial Credit Union credit or debit card. At the end of each quarter, one percent of the total interchange income – the fee paid for credit and debit card transactions – is distributed to the three top qualified nonprofits as voted on by a combination of the Credit Union’s members and the public.

To date, Cash Back to the Community has generated $325,137 in donations.

The first three winners of 2023 will each receive $9,086 from American Eagle:

• Boomer’s Best Buddies is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit rescue organization dedicated to saving companion animals in Connecticut who have been abandoned, abused or neglected. The organization provides the care needed to ensure their health and safety, intending to find them loving, life-long adoptive homes.
• PaperHouse Productions is a nonprofit arts organization in Durham dedicated to providing theatre opportunities to youth in Middlesex County and is an active member of the local community. The funds will be used for financial aid to children who might otherwise be unable to participate, and to help to replace aging audio equipment.
• Established in 1971, Southington West Little League is a nonprofit organization with the mission to “promote, develop, supervise, and voluntarily assist in all lawful ways, the interest of those who will participate in Little League Baseball and Softball.” The Little League program assists youth in developing the qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well-being.