SALEM, Ore. – Fourteen public school districts and 10 private schools received part of the first $2,000 that Marion and Polk Schools Credit Union cardholders donated to schools of their choice. Oregon schools have been in well-publicized financial trouble this year and the $212 million credit union has allowed its cardholders to designate a school district or private institution to receive a donation equal to 1% of their quarterly transactions. "It seems we have a unique product here, with great potential for helping our schools," said Dan Penn, credit union CEO. "With the amounts most of us place on our credit cards, this donation could become significant." The credit union has a link to education that dates from 1936 when it was founded as a credit union for teachers.