One Christmas tree has a special mission this Holiday season. That’s helping homeless veterans in the area.

The Bettendorf branch of the Family Credit Union set up the tree Nov. 29 to raise money for the Quad Cities Veterans Outreach Center.

Each of the different locations of the credit union chooses charities to raise money for during the Christmas season.

The Bettendorf branch manager, Sue Cheek told Local Four News, it’s a cause close to her heart that their office decided to support.

Cheek said her husband served in the U.S. Navy and they work to support veterans through a number of different means in the community.

She also told us when hearing around 200 veterans in Iowa are homeless, it made this fundraising effort even more meaningful.

Branch Manager Sue Cheek said, “When I think about everything that they’ve sacrificed so that I could have everything that I have today, what my family has, the security that we have. It just means the world to me that I can do something just to help them. Even just a little bit.”

How it works is anyone can come into their office during business hours to donate. They can do that by purchasing an ornament that is then hung on the three.

All of the ornaments are decorated by kids and grandchildren of credit union employees.

Cheek said it a way to involve the next generation about the service and actions of veterans. 

“For veterans, family is everything. Their whole purpose in doing what they do is for the love of the people behind them. Not for any kind of hatred that may have for someone in front of them. So, when we are able to involve family, children, grandchildren. That means everything,” said Cheek.

One of those who came to donate Friday includes Forrest Erickson, who is a Navy veteran 

“I know there’s a lot of homeless veterans in the area,” said Erickson. “If I can do a little bit to make this season better for them. I think it’s a good deal.”

The goal is to raise $500, but by Friday afternoon, Cheek said their collected was nearing $350. 

The tree will be up through the middle of December and the money donated to the Veterans Outreach Center ahead of Christmas. 

The Bettendorf office is located at 3355 Devils Glen Road.