Give Back Group Project Spotlight: Courage for Kiera Foundation

October 25, 2022

Courage for Kiera Foundation:

Grandparents Support Memorial Fund through Yard Sale

Cathy Chirdon and her husband Robert, of Dysart, Pennsylvania, formed a GBU Give Back Group in July 2022 to support the 5th annual Courage for Kiera Yard Sale and Bake Sale in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The Yard Sale raised $14,800, and through the Chirdon’s participation, GBU provided a$2,000 match.

Cathy and Robert’s granddaughter, Kiera, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at nine years old. She fought bravely for 7-1/2 years and passed away in 2017. Kiera’s passion was music, and she played violin. Kiera’s friend Madi organized the yard sale to raise funds so the Courage for Kiera Foundation could provide scholarships to local high school students.

“This yard sale helps keep Kiera’s memory alive and to give the scholarships, help keep her memory alive and it means a lot to me and her family,” Cathy told WTAJ-TV in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Cathy and Robert are part of a group of community members who hold monthly yard sales to benefit other local charities. They can raise additional funds for their causes with the GBU match as Give Back Group members.

 Dear GBU Life, 

 

Thank you so very, very much for the generous give back donations to the charities close to my heart! 


God Bless, 

Cathy Chirdon

Give Back Groups

If you are working to raise funds for an organization that impacts your local community, GBU will match the funds you raised up to $1,000 per GBU member in your group to a maximum of$5,000 per group. You can do your fundraising any way you like: in person, through a mail campaign or even via Facebook. The funds matching must be for a qualifying 501-c(3) organization that impacts your local community. The organization must have a listing on Charity Navigator.

VISIT GBUCARES.ORG/GIVE-BACK-GROUPS TO REQUEST APPROVAL FOR YOUR GIVE BACK GROUP.

August 31, 2026
September marks National Life Insurance Awareness month and GBU Life is partnering with Optimity to bring our members a financial wellness check-in.
By Mary Koczan and Laqueeta Coleman August 28, 2026
District 684 Brentwood, Pennsylvania and District 699 Frankenmuth, Michigan
August 26, 2026
A Life Dedicated to Heritage, Fellowship, and Service
August 24, 2026
The GBU Life Scholarship Awards support students in college, trade programs, non-college programs, and graduate school, helping them achieve their dreams, setting them on a career path and realizing life goals. Since its founding, the GBU Foundation has awarded 4,500 scholarships and educational grants totaling more than $3.2 million. In 2025, 215 members received $226,000 to support their two‑year, four‑year and graduate studies. Here’s a look at where the rubber meets the road — as we check in on past grantees to see how their scholarship awards have helped them stay on course, where they are now, and where they hope to be in the future.
August 17, 2026
To celebrate our 134th anniversary, GBU Life launched the Birthday Bash initiative, calling upon the GBU Life community to honor our fraternal legacy through service. GBU Life invited members, producers, and community leaders to assemble and deliver shelf-stable cake kits for individuals and families who may otherwise go without a birthday celebration. What can seem like a simple act of service could be the spark of hope someone needed.
August 13, 2026
GBU Life is expanding the power of your member benefits with an enhancement to LawAssure, the easy‑to‑use online service that helps you prepare essential legal documents from home.
August 11, 2026
A guide for navigating miscarriage, stillbirth, and the grief that follows.
July 30, 2026
There’s something about summer that makes even the simplest meal feel like a celebration.
July 27, 2026
Summer vacation is an exciting time packed with trips, camps, and sports, but we’ve all reached that point where we hear those dreaded words: “I’m bored!” With GBU Life’s Give Back Group benefit, you can keep your family busy while helping others without the pressure of covering project costs.
July 23, 2026
It is time, once again, for the GBU Life annual summer photo contest! Send us your favorite photo that depicts the contest theme, The Golden Hour.