WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – October provides credit unions yet another opportunity to shine with the celebration of International Credit Union Day. Since 1948, credit unions from around the world have teamed up on the third Thursday of October to celebrate the history, tradition and spirit of the international credit union movement This year's theme "Members Make it Happen" celebrates the unique services offered by credit unions and provides an open invitation for over 136 million members in 91 countries to share their credit union experience on October 20, 2005. Credit unions have gotten very creative in marking the occasion. In Germantown, Maryland, Mid-Atlantic FCU is not only hosting a free event to educate consumers on why joining a CU is the smart financial decision, but week-long events include refreshments, prize drawings and loan specials of .25% off auto loan rates and a $100 Home Depot card for new home equity loans. At First American CU in Beloit, Wis., ICU Day is a great opportunity to do more good in the community by hosting a Coats for Kids drive. According to the credit union every year social services offices see an increase in the number of children without adequate winter wear. In addition, the credit union will also provide kids who stop by any branch on October 20 a Halloween safety bag filled with goodies. For Freedom Federal Credit Union the credit union difference will be highlighted through the offering of two free educational seminars on Retirement Investment Strategies and Fraud Prevention and Identity Theft. With a focus on fun, Saugus Federal CU will celebrate with refreshments throughout the day, great giveaways, raffles every half-hour, and three grand prizes, including a first prize of a Dell desktop computer system; a second prize of a digital camera, and a third prize of an Apple iPod Shuffle. The SFCU celebration and prize drawings are open to members with active accounts.