In addition to their job responsibilities, Advia Credit Unionemployees delivered more than 600 toys to six Salvation Army sites.The toys were donated by members and employees through Angel Treeslocated in the lobbies of the Kalamazoo, Mich.-based credit union's24 branches in Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois.

More than 60 Advia employees volunteered more than 300 hours atSalvation Army Toy Towns, bagging and stocking toys and helpingparents choose just the right bike, game, doll or Star Wars Legosset. “We have been helping out at the Salvation Army for thepast week or so,” Teller Kristi Heacock said. “I just like givingback.” Breanne Miller, a member services specialist, agreed.

“It's such an amazing cause,” she said. “You can give a familyChristmas.”

This year the $1 billion Advia introduced as ACTION (AdvancingCommunity Ties in Our Neighborhoods) Volunteer program thatencouraged employees to take paid time off from work to volunteerat charities of their choice. The credit union committed 8,500 paidhours for full and part time employees to support communityorganizations each year.

The new volunteer program was embraced by Advia employees.

“I like spending time with co-workers to benefit the community.It speaks to one of our core values of building and strengtheningrelationships,” Marketing Administrator Joli Hensley said. “AtAdvia we have a tradition of giving back to our community. Everyonebenefits!”