Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union, Lowell, Mass., has been presented the Outstanding School Partner award by the Nashoba Valley Technical High School (NVTHS). The award recognizes corporate or non-profit entities who, through their contribution to the public schools in the community, have demonstrated support for public education. JDCU is part of the Banking Marketing & Retail Program at NVTHS. Students work in the credit union branch, located in the school mall, and are taught the day-to-day aspects of banking. JDCU has also been involved with other NVTHS school events, such as the Admission Celebration, Parents Night, Awards Night, A Fine Arts Auction, and the Grand Re-Opening of its new mall facility. Altura Credit Union, Riverside, Calif. has been recognized as “Corporation/Business of Year” by the Inland Empire Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) as part of National Philanthropy Day. Altura is the third recipient of the honor. As part of the award, AFP donated $2,000 to Altura's designated charity, the Altura Credit Union Foundation. Altura was nominated for the award by Jennifer Granthem, the executive director of the local chapter of the American Cancer Society. Western Rockies Federal Credit Union, Grand Junction, Colo., has received the “Best of the West” award for the third time in six years. Annually, the Daily Sentinel Newspaper conducts a ballot poll of its readers to determine the “best of the best” businesses in Western Colorado. With over 50 “Best of the West” categories, some examples include: best pizza place, winery, mechanic shop, grocery store, steakhouse, Chinese food, clothing store, veterinary clinic, and ski resort. Western Rockies FCU took honors in the bank, credit union and financial institution category -ahead of 30 other banks and financial institutions. Security Service Federal Credit Union (SSFCU), San Antonio, has received the Platinum Award for being the top fundraising team for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's “Light the Night” Walk. Raising more than $33,000 and with over 500 walkers participating, this is SSFCU's third year as the top fundraising team. The “Light the Night” Walk is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's main fundraising event to benefit research initiatives, patient services and education programs that fight blood cancers. The 2005 San Antonio area “Light the Night” Walk raised more than $290,000. SSFCU has been involved in the walk four consecutive years and to date has raised more than $106,000 to fund the society's mission to find a cure for leukemia and lymphoma. MAX Federal Credit Union, Montgomery, Ala., has honored the Operations and Sustainment Systems Group (OSSG) as the 2006 recipient of the MAX Community Achievement Award. OSSG provides technical and customer service support as well as acquisition and program management oversight of over 160 Combat Support Information Technology (IT) systems. OSSG provides a large infusion of commerce in the Montgomery area immensely contributing to the economic development of the tri-county community for over 30 years. This is the second year MAX has granted the MAX Community Achievement Award. It was awarded to the Montgomery Biscuits and Hyundai Motor Manufacturing of Alabama in 2005. Citadel Federal Credit Union, Thorndale, Pa., Senior Financial Services Representative Jaclyn Ward has been named the Pennsylvania CU Association Lan-Chester Chapter Youth Ambassador. The next step for Jaclyn will be to represent both Citadel and the Lan-Chester chapter at this year's state competition, in Atlantic City, NJ on May 7, 2006. Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, Kingston Branch Manager Georgene Fredericks has been named the 2005 Business Honoree in this year's Tribute to Women of Achievement of Ulster County. Sponsored by the Ulster County YWCA, this annual event recognizes outstanding women who have contributed to the quality of life in Ulster County and whose professional and personal qualities make them effective role models for other women.