DONATIONS Continuing its long-standing commitment to support excellence in education, Gwinnett Federal Credit Union, Lawrenceville, Ga., recently established an annual $2,000 student scholarship in honor of Anderson S. "Andy" Byers. Byers recently retired from the Jackson County School System. Marshall Boutwell, president/CEO of Gwinnett Federal, announced that an additional annual $1,500 career advancement scholarship was also created during Byers' retirement celebration. During 2006, Gwinnett Federal awarded a total of $32,500 in scholarships. Premier Credit Union, Palatine, Ill., has announced the recipients of the 2006 Charles F. Nagel and Donald Maddox Scholarships. Twelve students received $1,500 each to aid in their continued studies. The scholarships were awarded based on academic performance and community service. Premier Credit Union has been awarding annual scholarships for over 16 years. Gesa Credit Union, Richland, Wash., recently donated over $2,200 to the American Cancer Society. The donation was raised in a variety of ways including staff Jeans Fridays at each of Gesa's six offices. The donation was made in conjunction with Relay for Life. At the national event, teams are required to have one walker on the track at all times during the 18-hour relay. Gesa, a Gold Sponsor for the event, fielded a team of 19 motivated staffers and family members. In other donation news, the CU also donated $8,500 to the March of Dimes. Most of the funds were raised by selling Beanies for Babies during Christmas, Halloween and Easter. This donation was made in conjunction with March of Dimes' annual Walk America event. Gesa was the Family Tent sponsor and fielded an energetic team of eight walkers. Community Resource Federal Credit Union, Latham, N.Y., in association with the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club, hosted the Community Resource Father's Day 5K Run and Kids Fun Run. Two-hundred and seventy-nine adults and 65 children participated in the event that raised $5,700 to help Shaker Elementary renovate its playground. Wauna Federal Credit Union, Clatskanie, Ore., recently awarded eight graduating high school seniors with college scholarships. The board of directors gave eight $1,000 college scholarships to: Nicole Barendse, Laura Brookins, Tyler Gramson, Crystal McAllister, Curtis Olds, Justine Pillar, Kayla Pugh and Felecia Sinclair. For the 10th consecutive year, employees of Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, Philadelphia, laced up their sneakers and participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event. The annual event is held across the country to raise money for breast cancer research. Team PFCU, comprised of over 60 employees and family members, donated its time for the worthwhile occasion. CU employees took part in both the 5K run and 5K walk. In all, the Komen Foundation counted 802 teams and 27,666 participants. Despite the threat of rainy weather, the staff and volunteers of Atlantic Regional Federal Credit Union, Brunswick, Maine, raised over $7,600 and walked for 24 hours in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. This event celebrated cancer survivors, raised money to help save the lives of those battling cancer and empowered individuals to fight this disease.