Security Service Federal Credit Union, San Antonio, has teamed up with the San Antonio Food Bank to donate food to Reaching Maximum Independence (RMI). The nonprofit charity provides residential and vocational alternatives for individuals with mental retardation or related disabilities. In just a month the credit union collected over 675,000 pounds of food, which is enough to make 600,000 meals. RMI is just one of thousands of beneficiaries of a Food 4 SA drive sponsored by SSFCU in partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank. Insight Financial Credit Union, Orlando, Fla., has delivered a large donation to the Ronald McDonald House of Orlando in participation with the "Pull! for the Ronald McDonald House" campaign. CU staffers and members collected pop tabs throughout the year from their soda cans. The Ronald McDonald House serves as a "home away from home" for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. The pop tabs will be recycled to generate funds for the existing 253 houses, as well as to build new facilities. Technology Credit Union, San Jose, Calif., has teamed up with Garden Gate Elementary School and the Cupertino Office of Emergency Services to prepare parents and their children for emergencies. Tech CU donated $1,000 toward emergency supplies for the school, including tents, stretchers, and water. The Emergency Preparedness night was a success with over 250 participants. Marsha Hovey, representing the Cupertino Office of Emergency Services, taught parents about earthquake preparedness, while the children attended sessions with representatives from the Police and Fire Departments to learn about bicycle safety, fire safety, and how to protect themselves from "stranger danger." Local Government Federal Credit Union, Raleigh, N.C., has contributed $25,000 to the Family House capital campaign. Family House, a specialized facility affiliated with UNC Hospitals, is designed to help critically ill patients, family members and caregivers get through a long hospital stay and the stress of serious illness, without breaking the bank or essentially being temporarily homeless. The 40-bed facility is slated for construction in late spring 2006 and will provide families with a supportive atmosphere, a place to eat and a place to sleep while a family member receives care at UNC Hospitals. Credit Union West, Glendale, Ariz., has donated $17,000 to "One Darn Cool School" at Phoenix Children's Hospital. In addition to candy and bracelet sales, CU West raised most of the money through donations from employees for wearing jeans. Employees paid $5 for the privilege of wearing jeans on Friday. E1 Financial Credit Union , Monterey Park, Calif., has donated brand new computers to Hillcrest Elementary School. The school was vandalized over the holidays and after assessing the school's greatest need the credit union gathered resources to replace the computers that had been ruined. Cabrillo Credit Union, San Diego, has teamed up with 20 other credit unions to collect children's books during the 2005 Book Builders Campaign benefiting San Diego City school libraries. The book drive, organized by the Credit Union Alliance of San Diego asked members to donate new and gently-used children's books at participating branches. In addition to the book drive, a Book Builders Quiz was on the CUA Web site, www.creditunionalliance.org,offering a $1,000 Borders gift card to one randomly chosen winner. Send Us Your "People" and "In Other News" Press Releases Best method: e-mail to [email protected] (color pics should be at least 230 DPI); those that must be mailed (not preferred) send to ATTN: People Editor, 560 Village Blvd., Suite 325, West Palm Beach, Fl. 33409.