The Mountain West Credit Union Association announced this week itswinners of the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility RecognitionAward, the Louise Herring Award for Philosophy in Action and theDesjardins Youth Financial Education Awards.

The celebration will be especially merry for the $3.1 billionDesert Schools Federal Credit Union in Phoenix, which won all threeawards in their financial grouping ($1 billion or more inassets).

The Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Recognition Award wasgiven to Desert Schools FCU for the $1 billion or more credit uniongroup. The $792 million TruWest Credit Union in Tempe, Ariz., wonfor the $500 million – $1 billion asset category, while the $408million First Credit Union in Chandler, Ariz., was named the winnerof the $200-$500 million credit union assignment.

The Louise Herring Award for Philosophy in Action recognizes thecredit union with the best implementation of credit unionphilosophy in its operations. The awards were won by First CU($200-500 million) and Desert Schools FCU ($1 billion ormore).

The Desjardins Youth Financial Education Awards were given tothe $382 million Pima Federal Credit Union in Pima, Ariz., ($150-500 million)and Desert Schools FCU ($500 million or more), which won for bothyouth and adult education awards.

“At Desert Schools we believe in giving back,” said SusanFrank, president/CEO of Desert Schools FCU. “With so manyopportunities to be involved in our community and supportorganizations coming together for all different causes which touchlives and have a positive impact on those in need, it's an honorfor us to be recognized for our outreach efforts.”

All awards will be presented at the annual International CreditUnion Day celebration events in Phoenix on Oct. 17 and Tucson,Ariz., on Oct. 18.

Each recipient will also be entered into CUNA's nationalcompetition with the winners to be announced in late February, theMWCUA said.