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The board and senior management team were faced with a difficult decision on what to do with the policy proceeds. \u00a0It did not take long to determine that Ascentra would like to utilize the funds to start the Ascentra Credit Union Foundation continuing the service and generosity Lensmeyer taught and lived. \u00a0 \u201cListening, caring, doing what\u2019s right\u201d are words that were genuinely spoken by Paul, who lived and breathed this mantra in his professional and personal life. \u00a0He instilled these beliefs into Ascentra\u2019s organization which has made a difference in the lives of its members, staff, and the communities it serves. \u00a0Now, through the Ascentra Credit Union Foundation, Ascentra is ensuring his legacy lives on and that these beliefs will have a positive ripple effect for generations to come. \u201cAscentra, by its nature as a credit union, and even more so under the leadership of Paul, already contributed to the community in many ways,\u201d said Linda Andry, Chief Financial Officer. \u00a0\u201cBut Paul\u2019s legacy was a catalyst for the credit union to partner with the Community Foundation to expand its philanthropic work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The credit union established an endowment and a charitable giving fund, and is in the process of working with the Community Foundation to enhance its giving and further their philanthropic outreach in the communities they serve. This collaboration represents the largest corporate partnership with the Community Foundation to date by establishing a $1.75 million endowment to support their corporate philanthropy, and a non-endowed fund of $250,000 for additional grants.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhat better way to not only honor Paul, but to do what is right for our community and our members?\u201d said Dale Owen, President & CEO of Ascentra, who had been in the process of transitioning into his position when Paul passed away.<\/span><\/p>\n In honor of Paul, the credit union provided donations in the past year totaling more than $150,000 to several local organizations, including the Pleasant Valley Schools Educational Foundation, the Bettendorf\/Quad City Rotary, Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Iowa Credit Union Foundation and the Children\u2019s Miracle Network at the University of Iowa Hospitals. Dale said they approached the Community Foundation to be more strategic about future giving because of the foundation\u2019s strong reputation.<\/span><\/p> \u201cThe Community Foundation has a long track record of doing many great things,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is an organization we\u2019ve admired and I\u2019m glad we\u2019re partnering with them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Barb Melbourne, JD, vice president of development at CFGRB, said the sentiment is shared. \u00a0\u201cAscentra is committed to the community in which we all live and work, and we are humbled to have an opportunity to sit alongside them to shape their mission, and identify ways to be more impactful with their philanthropic dollars,\u201d she said. \u201cThey are an incredible example of the ways local businesses can influence and support their community for the greater good.\u201d<\/p> It is a move that Paul would have been proud of, Andry said, as Paul also led by example at work and in his personal life. \u00a0\u201cHe encouraged staff to volunteer and give back to their community,\u201d she said. \u201cThat was\u2014and is today\u2014the environment in our workplace. Paul wanted staff engaged in giving back to the community. We miss him dearly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n About the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend:<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n For the past 50 years, the\u00a0<\/em>Community Foundation of the Great River Bend\u00a0<\/em><\/a>has been dedicated to bettering the communities we serve by connecting people who care with causes that matter.\u00a0 We are the\u00a0lead foundation for 14\u00a0<\/em>Affiliate Foundations<\/em><\/a>\u00a0throughout eastern Iowa and western Illinois. They are part of our 17 county service area, which allows our grant and scholarship work to create impact across our region. Learn more about the Community Foundation at\u00a0<\/em>CFGRB.org<\/em><\/a>.\u00a0 Follow us on\u00a0<\/em>Facebook<\/em><\/a>\u00a0and<\/em>LinkedIn<\/em><\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n About Ascentra Credit Union:<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Founded in 1950,\u00a0<\/em>Ascentra Credit Union<\/em><\/a>, is Iowa’s premier credit union with more than $340 million in assets and 10 branches serving the communities of Bettendorf, Clinton, Davenport, Le Claire, Muscatine, Iowa and Moline, Ill. Learn more about Ascentra Credit Union at\u00a0<\/em>ascentra.org.<\/em><\/a>\u00a0 Follow Ascentra on Facebook and on Twitter @ascentra.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/holaamericanews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Diabetes-Spanish-300x250-2.jpg\")
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