Advantis Credit Union, Portland, Ore., helpedaddress the Portland area's need for nonperishable, high-proteinfoods for hungry families and children. The credit union raised$7,300 in cash contributions and encouraged members and neighborsto help them fill food barrels stationed in branch lobbies. Donorscould buy $1 cans of tuna in Advantis branches. A total of 5,000cans were purchased and donated to the Portland Police BureauSunshine Division.

Allegacy Federal Credit Union, Winston-Salem,N.C., held a holiday giveaway for five random members who usedtheir Allegacy Visa check cards for signature-based transactions of$50 or more. The winners were each given $1,000 and were asked toselect a charitable organization to receive an additional $1,000.The local charities chosen were Prodigals Community inWinston-Salem, Hospice and Palliative CareCenter, the Derrick L.Davis Forsyth Regional Cancer Center, the Joan & Howard WoltzHospice Home, and the Ronald McDonald House.

Atlanta Postal Credit Union, Atlanta, hosted agift-wrapping workshop. Employees were invited to bring theirholiday gifts to the credit union's marketing department to bewrapped by fellow workers in exchange for a donation to Children'sMiracle Network. Through employee donations and fundraisingactivities such as the gift-wrapping workshop, APCU employees, withthe support of their board of directors, were able to raise $30,000for Children's Miracle Network in 2010.

Insight Credit Union, Orlando, Fla., donated$2,000 to New Hope for Kids to provide much-needed Christmas giftsto children and families in the Central Florida area. The donationwas made possible by generous member and employee contributions.New Hope for Kids has been working with local children since 1977and offers the only comprehensive grief program that works withboth children and families in Central Florida.

Los Angeles Federal Credit Union, Los Angeles,collected over 500 toys for its annual Toys for Tots toy driveaimed at spreading holiday cheer to local, needy children. For over15 years, LAFCU has partnered with the U.S. Marines Corps ReservesToys for Tots Program in inviting employees and members to bringnew, unwrapped toys to one of the Credit Union's six branchesduring November and December. LAFCU has helped the Toys for TotsProgram bring thousands of toys to less fortunate youngsters inSouthern California.

Meriwest Credit Union, San Jose, Calif., hosteda holiday giving tree and provided volunteers at a local food banklast month. They collected over 600 pounds of toys for needychildren and sorted through thousands of pounds of canned and drygoods for needy seniors, families and individuals throughout SanMateo and Santa Clara Counties. The credit union raised an extra$400 for the giving tree program by hosting an employee jeans dayfundraiser.

Michigan State University Federal Credit Union,East Lansing, Mich., helped provide gifts to local organizationswith a holiday giving tree. A tree was placed in every MSUFCUbranch in November with gift tags available for selection, eachprinted with an individual child's wish list. This year more than$2,000 was donated by members, and MSUFCU matched that amount topurchase gifts for the children. Seventy-one children from MSUUniversity Housing and Child & Family Services Capital Area,and 90 children from the Auburn Hills Firefighters Helping Handsprogram, were provided with gifts on their wish list this holidayseason.

Numerica Credit Union, Spokane Valley, Wash.,engaged in a variety of charitable activities this holiday season.It donated two large moving boxes full of coats and outerwear tothe Crosswalk Teen Shelter in Spokane, which received the coats onthe morning of the shelter's Christmas party. It raised and donated$250 for the Douglas County Sheriff's Office's K9 Unit Fund, andhosted a giving tree to benefit the Wenatchee Area Humane Society.It also sponsored the Mobius Kids Children's Museum's Annual SantaBreakfast, at which Numerica's Planet M Kid's Club Mascot, Byte,entertained the kids, volunteer employees helped kids makeChristmas tree crafts and each attendee received a Numericagift.

Rivermark Community Credit Union, Beaverton,Ore., and the Safeway Clackamas Bread Plant raised over $49,000selling cookie dough this holiday season in their 27th annual Doughfor Doernbecher fundraiser, which benefited the local children'shospital. All of the supplies and labor were donated, allowing 100%of the proceeds to go directly to Doernbecher Children'sHospital.

Tinker Federal Credit Union, Oklahoma City,raised $2,300 for the Oklahoma Credit Union Foundation in late 2010by hosting a Festival of Trees-an online auction of trees andwreaths decorated by its employees. TFCU branches and supportdepartments decorated 37 trees and wreaths with specific themes,added additional donated gifts to enhance the packages and postedthem on its website for bidding.

Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union, Alpena, Mich.,raised $1757 at its Oscoda branch for the Toys for Tots program.The program, run by the U.S. Marine Corps, collects Christmas toysfor local needy children. Credit Union staff worked together tomake a handmade quilt to raise the money. They also held a bakesale and sold candy bars, Toys for Tots cards that formed a trainaround the branch lobby, and “Santa Bucks”-special dollar billswith Santa's picture on them.

American 1 Federal Credit Union, Jackson,Mich., held its 2010 Winter Wonderland event last month. Theattraction raised nearly $8,000 for local charities, and featured atree decorating contest. Each participant in the contest decorateda tree and listed a “charity of choice” on their registration form.Donations raised by guests' monetary votes and silent auction bidswere donated to that tree's charity. The tree with the mostdonations and highest auction bid combined at the end of the eventwon an additional $500 for their tree's charity. Localorganizations and businesses decorated 54 live, potted white pinetrees for the contest.

Community Resource Federal Credit Union,Albany, N.Y., provided volunteers during the busy holiday season toserve a meal for clients of Interfaith Partnership for theHomeless's Sheridan Hollow Drop-In Center. David Heffley, owner ofthe Four Corners Luncheonette in Delmar, catered the holidaydinner, which has been organized by Grassroots Givers for the pastfour years. Over 100 people were served at the event, whichincluded a full meal and dessert with flip-flops and umbrellas astake-home gifts.

Diamond Credit Union, Pottstown, Pa., supportedthe Salvation Army for the sixth consecutive year by hosting anAngel Tree in the lobby of its Pottstown branch. This year, membersand employees donated over 60 gifts to help children in the GreaterPottstown area.

Enrichment Federal Credit Union, Oak Ridge,Tenn., collected gloves, hats and scarves at its Roane Countybranch for local schoolchildren. The credit union's second annualholiday “Gloves of Love” drive took place between Nov. 15 and Dec.9. On Dec. 14, the credit union presented the items to theprincipals of the eight different schools in Roane County, so thatthey could give them out before the children left for theholidays.

Fort Campbell Federal Credit Union, FortCampbell, Ky., hosted its fourth annual Operation Best Wishesservice for members of the military and their families. OperationBest Wishes is a mobile webcast studio where each soldier or familymember is given up to 10 minutes to record an electronic holidaycard for their loved ones. The recipient can then access theelectronic greeting from a secure website and view it as many timesas they want.

Georgia Federal Credit Union, Duluth, Ga., heldits annual Wish Tree program. The credit union partnered with otherorganizations, such as local schools, to benefit foster childrenduring the holiday season. Over 600 gifts were donated, frombicycles and iPods to educational toys and baby dolls. In addition,monetary donations were given to purchase more gifts for deservingfoster kids in the local community. The gifts were delivered to thechildren the week of Christmas.

North Central Area Credit Union, Houghton Lake,donated $600 to the Resurrection Church Food Pantry last month.During the drive, $465 was raised by the credit union's Standishbranch. This is the third year that NCACU has made a largecontribution to local food drives during the Christmas season inArenac County. Donations were also made from other branch locationsin Crawford and Roscommon Counties. A total of 18,000 food itemswere donated.

St. Helens Community Federal Credit Union, St.Helens, Ore., collected $823 and 1,143 pounds of food in a holidayfood and fundraising campaign for the Columbia Pacific Food Bank.The drive took place in Scappoose, St. Helens and Rainier fromNovember to Dec. 15, and was held to help feed residents in needthroughout Columbia County.

Woodstone Credit Union, Federal Way, Wash.,recently wrapped up its annual Holiday House toy drive. In all,Woodstone collected 954 presents and decorations for the HolidayHouse, a local nonprofit organization that lets needy families“shop” for Christmas presents from its inventory of donated items.The toy drive took place between Nov. 29 and Dec. 17 at Woodstone'sbranch in downtown Federal Way.

America First Credit Union, La Habra, Calif.,recently organized its seventh annual Angel Tree gift campaign tosolicit gift donations for the children and teens of the CrittentonServices for Family and Children in Fullerton, Calif. The AngelTree, filled with gift tags and wish lists, was displayed in thecredit union's La Habra corporate office and employees voluntarilyselected a gift tag to donate gifts for the abused and neglectedchildren ranging from newborns to 17-year-olds. Approximately 75employees donated more than 100 gifts for the abused and neglectedchildren, including pajamas, shoes, gift cards and toys.

Belco Community Credit Union, Harrisburg, Pa.,visited the Harrisburg Hospital to deliver over 100 teddy bearsthat were donated by fans at the annual Teddy Bear Toss at theHershey Bears game on Dec. 4. The hospital delivery was just one ofmany within the past two weeks, as Belco employees helped todistribute the bears in time for the holidays. More than 7,000teddy bears and stuffed animals were collected at the event. Belcosponsored the night and employees helped to gather bears off theice. After the game, Belco was given a large sum of bears todistribute to local charities.

Keys Federal Credit Union, Key West, Fla.,delivered doughnuts and pizza to three organizations that help keepthe Florida Keys safe all year. The Key West Police Department,Monroe County Sheriff's Office and Monroe County Fire Rescueoffices from Key West to Marathon all received food from KeysFederal Credit Union last month as a holiday treat.

LBS Financial Credit Union, Long Beach, Calif.,donated hundreds of toys and books to the children of Long BeachDay Nursery on Dec. 15 at The Grand in Long Beach during theirannual holiday breakfast. The credit union selected Long Beach DayNursery for this year's employee gift donation hoping to make apositive difference in the lives of the children during theholidays. LBS Financial has more than 230 employees, and almosteveryone in attendance brought one or more gifts for the childrenof the two Long Beach Day Nursery locations.

Members Advantage Credit Union, Michigan City,Ind., recently made a donation of $2,500 to the Michigan CitySalvation Army to assist in their holiday fundraising campaign. Thefunds will be used primarily for food pantry assistance andChristmas baskets, said Major Brian Burkett, Corps Officer for theorganization. Last year the Michigan City Salvation Army achievedits Christmas goal of $145,000.

Mid-Cities Financial Credit Union, Compton,Calif., donated gifts to Peace4Kids, a local foster childrenorganization. The credit union sponsored gifts for Peace4Kidsfoster children eight to twelve years of age. Members, employeesand volunteers selected gift wishes from the lobby wish tree topurchase for the children. After delivering approximately 50 gifts,the credit union participated in a special event where the kidsreceived and opened their presents.

NEFCU, Westbury, N.Y., donated nearly 20 bagsof wrapped toys that were distributed to over 100 children at theCenter for Developmental Disabilities during its annual holidayparty. With the help of parents and teachers, the children createdwish lists prior to the toy drive, and NEFCU staff members didtheir best to make these holiday dreams come true by purchasingbooks, puzzles, board games, clothes, sensory toys and more.

People's Credit Union, Middletown, R.I.,delivered gift cards to the Women's Resource Center of Newport andBristol counties and the Domestic Violence Resource Center of SouthCounty. Each center received $300 in gift cards to distribute topeople in need. This is the fourth year the credit union hasdonated gift cards to the centers during the holidays. The cardsare distributed to the people at each center to help them buy giftsfor family members and make the holiday season more enjoyable.

Robins Federal Credit Union, Warner Robins,Ga., completed a holiday season of various charitable activities.Credit union staff sent 95 care packages to men and women servingabroad, and filled shoeboxes with toiletry items and winterclothing for the elderly in partnership with Meals on Wheels ofHouston County. They also gathered items and monetary donations forthe Ronald McDonald House in Macon. Many Robins FCU branchescollected toys for Toys for Tots and for Rainbow House Children'sResource Center, which supports abused children. Finally, thecredit union also donated to local charities, including the FoodBank of Northeast Georgia, Kids Yule Love and many localDepartments of Family and Children's Services.