Ascentra loan promotion raises thousands for Salvation Army
Sophia Hammond
Updated on March 14, 2026
Ascentra Credit Union and its members raised $24,300 for local Salvation Army Corps in 2023 through its annual Ride 50 auto loan promotion.
Each year, between October 1 and December 31, Ascentra gives $50 cash to the borrower and donates $50 to a local charity with every new qualifying auto loan or refinance they processed. Last year, donations were given to one of four Salvation Army regions of the borrower’s choice. During the 2023 promotion, Ascentra’s nine branches processed 286 auto loans, raising a total of $14,300. The five branches in the Quad Cities raised $10,350, the Moline branch raised $1,700, the Muscatine branch raised $1,000 and the two branches in Clinton raised $1,250.
Ascentra’s board of directors approved an additional $10,000 towards the overall donation, in addition to the money raised during the promotion. “Food insecurity and shelter needs continue to grow in our communities,” said Linda Andry, president and CEO of Ascentra Credit Union. “There is no better time than now to dig deep and support local organizations who are already making an impact in these areas. Our leadership and board felt led to give more to help make an even bigger impact this holiday season.”
This partnership between the Salvation Army and Ascentra started in 2019, when the Salvation Army was chosen to benefit from the Ride 50 holiday auto promotion that year. Since then, they have partnered together three additional times in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
“The Salvation Army of the QCA made a call for help to make a difference, and our community answered generously at the red kettle,” said Major Robert Doliber, The Salvation Army’s Quad Cities Coordinator. “Volunteers rallied, and partners such as Ascentra Credit Union propelled us to the top of the goal ($750,000), to meet the ever-increasing needs for our services.”
“Our partnership with the Salvation Army continues to grow,” said Andry. “Now Ascentra’s staff looks forward to bell ringing and helping to raise funds through our Ride 50 promotion each year. It’s becoming a tradition in our company culture.”
Since 2019, Ascentra’s Ride 50 holiday auto loan promotion and its members have generated over $76,000 to support The Salvation Army and its programs. The Salvation Army presented Ascentra Credit Union with a framed certificate during a lunch reception at Ascentra’s home office on Wednesday, January 24. The certificate says, “This certificate is awarded to Ascentra Credit Union in grateful recognition of your continued support, the Salvation Army of the Quad Cities, January 24, 2024.”
