AWARDS Tri-Co Federal Credit Union, Randolph, N.J., recently received the coveted "Quality in Business Award" from the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce. The award came at the chamber's Quality in Business, Quality in Living Awards Dinner that brought together local business leaders and individual residents who made contributions to Sussex County's overall quality of life. BRANCHING OUT University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union, Lexington, Ky., recently opened its newest location. The new Lexington Branch has a notable sports theme with inspiring graphics adorning the walls including a history wall with unique UK and credit union information. A sports center is located in the central area of the lobby with nine plasma screens delivering news, sports and member service information. Digital Federal Credit Union, Worcester, Mass., recently opened its second full-service branch in Worcester. The new branch celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by DCU members, employees and representatives from the DCU Center. The 5,000 square foot branch features an Internet caf? with computer kiosks, printers and free coffee for member use, six teller stations, a drive-up teller window and a 24-hour drive-up ATM. DONATIONS Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Credit Union, Aberdeen, Md., recently donated $3,500 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cecil County on behalf of the Community Involvement Committee. Each child at the club also received an APGFCU t-shirt. APGFCU's Community Involvement Committee has donated $59,726 so far this year to community organizations in need. Connex Credit Union, Hamden, Conn., has awarded Dana Reid a $500 Atlantic City Getaway. This special promotion was for Hamden residents throughout July who joined Connex Credit Union. Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union, Miramar, Fla., recently donated $2,195.25 to Kids in Distress, a nationally accredited agency dedicated to the prevention of child abuse, the preservation of the family and the care and treatment of abused and neglected children. EFFCU provided "back to school" supplies in the form of uniforms, shoes, socks, underwear and school supplies and a backpack for 50 children. EFFCU employees also took the time to participate in a Veterans hospital visit. The group of employees gave special recognition through cake and ice cream and small gifts to those veterans celebrating their birthdays. EFFCU also contributed a popcorn machine and a year's supply of popcorn for the Veterans. Three Rivers Federal Credit Union, Fort Wayne, Ind., honored 10 student members for their academic successes by awarding them scholarships. Recipients were selected based on financial need, strong community involvement and their extra-curricular activities. Students received an award in the amount of $500 to be used toward their collegiate academic goals in majors related to the credit union industry. ART: MarchofDimesLourdes&MaryLou.jpg CUT: NJFCU President/CEO Lourdes Garcia presents March of Dimes WalkAmerica Director Mary Lou Dawson with a $1,000 donation. North Jersey Federal Credit Union, Totowa, N.J., recently donated $1,000 to the March of Dimes in support of research programs to prevent premature births. The donation will be used towards New Jersey programs, research and community education. ART: Golf Tournament 044.jpg CUT: E1 Financial Alhambra Financial Center Branch Manager Ben Holguin, V.P. of Lending Ray Bartus and Chairman Luchus Mack at the West San Gabriel Valley YMCA 3rd Annual Golf Tournament. E1 Financial Credit Union, Alhambra, Calif., recently participated in the West San Gabriel Valley YMCA 3rd Annual "18 Holes Across America" Golf Tournament at Alhambra Golf Course. Everyone participating in the day's events raised money for the YMCA. Southwest Airlines and Tri-Star Vending presented the event. Participants had the opportunity to take a "tour" across America with plenty of music, food and activities to accommodate golfers at all levels. ART: Patsy Van Ouwerker…oreno.JPG CUT: Patsy Van Ouwerkerk, president/CEO Travis CU, and Pat Moreno, secretary of the board for the CU, both participated in the first-ever golf tournament to benefit the local Boys and Girls Club. Travis Credit Union, Vacaville, Calif., recently sponsored the first-ever golf tournament to benefit the local Boys and Girls Club. The tournament was held at Rancho Solano Golf Course and raised more than $13,000. In addition to acting as the title sponsor of the well attended tournament, several Travis Credit Union Board members were present to golf and support the event. The day concluded with an awards dinner and banquet featuring a raffle and auction. Approximately 72 golfers participated in four man scramble golf tournament. Achieva Credit Union, Largo, Fla., recently awarded six Pinellas County students with scholarships thanks to their new scholarship program. The six winners were: Aaron Freeman, Sierra Gadson, Nichole Lang, Brittany Maben, Ivana Sehovic, and Khalilah Warnke. ART: DQ_ChildrensHospital.tif CUT: (From left) Judy Foster, Pat Fraisure, Brenda Killian, Trena Johnson, Vicki Gonzales and Andrea Armanino, all employees of Peninsula CU ventured to Dairy Queen to purchase Blizzards who proceeds went directly to Children's Hospital in Seattle. Employees of Peninsula Credit Union, Escanaba, Mich., recently ventured to the local Dairy Queen to support Children's Hospital while enjoying a Blizzard at the same time. All proceeds of Blizzards sold that day at multiple Dairy Queen locations went directly to Children's Hospital in Seattle. San Diego Metropolitan Credit Union, San Diego, recently hosted its 7th Annual Blood Drive benefiting the San Diego Blood Bank. Forty pints of blood were donated at the drive, potentially saving 120 lives. SDMCU's drive was part of a month-long collaborative blood collection effort on behalf of credit unions throughout San Diego County. Participants, consisting of SDMCU members, employees and members of the local community, received several prizes and a raffle entry, and sponsors for the refreshments included Kashi Company. LBS Financial Credit Union, Long Beach, Calif., along with eight local credit unions and credit union organizations donated more then 600 new items to the Long Beach Veterans Association and the U.S. Vets, a private corporation. Organized by management and staff from LBS Financial and the Long Beach Chapter of the California Credit Union League, items were collected by chapter members and staff at their credit unions in support of local veterans. More than 50 individual participants from the eight credit unions supported the cause. Donated items included new clothing, blankets, personal care products and more. MILESTONES ART: Community Choice group w/ plaque.jpg CUT: Indiana Credit Union League President John McKenzie (second from left) presented commemorative plaques from the League and CUNA at the 25th anniversary reception for Community Choice FCU. Community Choice Federal Credit Union, Indianapolis, Indiana's only credit union that was chartered specifically as a Community Development Credit Union celebrated 25 years of service to members recently. The two-day celebration marking the 25th anniversary of Community Choice began at the Historic Firehouse #2 during a reception attended by members, state legislators, Cliff Rosenthal, executive director of the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions and Indiana League President John McKenzie. The credit union partnered with community and city representatives to celebrate the revitalization of the area by hosting an ice cream social following the dedication of Moon Block Park on the second day of the celebration. Mutual Savings Credit Union, Birmingham, Ala., recently offered two special seven percent certificate of deposit specials to celebrate 70 years of service. Orginally created to serve employees of U.S. Steel's Fairfield Works, Mutual Savings Credit Union has been serving communities since 1936. MSCU offered two special CDs: seven percent for seven months and seven percent for 12 months. ART: CEO and cake.tif CUT: United Health CU Board Chairman Tony Violanti and President/CEO Linda White proudly display a cake that was 50 years in the making. United Health Credit Union, Burlingame, Calif., recently celebrated 50 years serving members. The CU gave away 50 vacation packages and shared a birthday cake with the credit union's 50th anniversary logo with members. There was also an after-hours open house for local officials, colleagues and longtime members at the main branch. About 50 guests enjoyed a light catered meal and drinks and each received a souvenir key chain with the CU's 50th anniversary logo.