DONATIONS Numerica Credit Union, Post Falls, Idaho, Silverwood Theme Park and KXLY's Kalae Chock made the first presentation of the First Class School Champion Award recently at Ponderosa Elementary. Madeline Baker, a Ponderosa fourth grader who helps out in the school's kitchen, nominated Ramona Hansen, a baker at Ponderosa, for September's School Champion title. The First Class School Champion Award is given every month through May and students can nominate their favorite school employee who works within North Idaho. A committee will select a winner once a month. Hansen, the 29-year food service baker with the school district, received $100 to be used at the school or in her department, along with a plaque, gift bag, two Silverwood Theme Park passes and a $45 gift certificate to Outback Steakhouse. New York State Credit Union League, Latham, N.Y., recently had over two dozen volunteers swing hammers, dig ditches and man wheelbarrows at two Habitat for Humanity houses in North Albany. The group began construction, which included building railings, carrying bathtubs and sinks, and painting interiors around 9:30 a.m. Work continued through 3 p.m. when the volunteers put away their tools and gathered to present Habitat for Humanity Project Director Richard Stone $500. The new houses will benefit local families who have successfully completed the partnering process with Habitat for Humanity. Pacific Service Credit Union, Sacramento, Calif., has provided a $5,000 grant for the creation of a new program at the Child and Family Opportunity Center, called "The Community Store." The Child and Family Opportunity Center is operated under the direction of the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Sacramento, Inc. to serve low-income, at-risk families in the area. The Community Store will stock household necessities that many low-income families do without, such as personal hygiene products, cleaning products, baby formula, diapers and school supplies. Texans Credit Union, Richardson, Texas, was the presenting sponsor for the Collin County JDRF Walk To Cure Diabetes and Greg Gallant, chief technology officer for Texans, chaired the walk. Gallant's daughter Morgan was the JDRF ambassador for Texans, as she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just over two years ago. Texans successfully reached its goal of $200,000 and had just under 200 walkers participate in the Walk this year. Texans CU raised funds through the almost 200 walkers, jeans days, bake sales, garage sales, online auctions and dunking booths. Texans CEO David Addison even cooked a Bayou lunch for the staff to raise money. JDRF is the leading charitable funder and advocate of juvenile (type 1) diabetes research worldwide. American First Credit Union, La Habra, Calif., helped contribute to the success of La Habra's American Cancer Society Relay For Life event through its sponsorship and team participation efforts. The CU sponsored the event and dedicated a team of 43 people to participate in the relay. The team walked the track for 1,070 laps for a continuous 24 hours and raised over $8,000, more than any other team. The entire event raised $28,000 for the American Cancer Society. American First also coordinated a silent auction to raise money for the event. More than 100 employees and business partners of the credit union donated items ranging from baseball tickets to gift baskets and televisions. The silent auction raised more than $3,000. First Financial Credit Union, West Covina, Calif., recently participated in the "YMCA Stair Climb to the Top" charity event. The CU raised $2,000 for the Ketchum-Downtown YMCA's community outreach programs. The 16 First Financial staff members, along with other participating groups/companies, each had to ascend the 75 stories of the US Bank Tower building, reported to be the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. First Financial's Team #1 came in 5th place overall in the co-ed division of the charity event. Valley First Credit Union, Modesto, Calif., raised over $7,200 to benefit the American Heart Association through this year's 15th Annual Stanislaus County Heart Walk. Employees volunteered as Team Walkers to raise money by collecting donations and walking a noncompetitive 3.2 mile walk/run. In addition to money raised by the team walkers, employees raised money through paper heart sales and "Jean Days". Valley First Credit Union ended as the 4th top team at this year's Heart Walk. First Credit Union, Chandler, Ariz., sponsored 70 participants in this year's Walk for Hope to Cure Breast Cancer. The 5K walk took place in the Phoenix Zoo and more than $2,000 was raised by First CU employees for the City of Hope National Medical Center, which addresses all aspects of the disease from research, prevention, and early diagnosis to advanced treatment and ultimately finding a cure. Innovations Federal Credit Union, Panama City, Fla., and the Shaddai Shrine Temple partnered for the second annual charity golf tournament to benefit the Shriners Children's Hospitals. The tournament raised over $21,000 at the Hombre Golf Course. Raincross Credit Union, Riverside, Calif., recently held a barbecue for members and staff in an effort to raise funds for the United Way. Another year as a pacesetter organization, the CU raised over $300 selling hot dogs, chips and refreshments throughout the afternoon. Landmark Credit Union, New Berlin, Wis., donated $11,140 to the American Cancer Society's Breast Cancer Awareness Fund. The funds were raised through the credit union's Pink Ribbon Checking Program. For anyone opening a new Landmark Pink Ribbon Checking account with Direct Deposit, Landmark promised to donate $50 to the American Cancer Society's Breast Cancer Awareness Efforts. The limited-time program included a free first order of 150 Pink Ribbon Checks and the gift of a Landmark Pink Ribbon Baseball Cap. Landmark members who already had a checking account, could get a Pink Ribbon hat by donating at least $10 to the American Cancer Society. Redwood Credit Union, Santa Rosa, Calif., teamed up with Blood Bank of the Redwoods to host two mobile blood drives for employees and members at two of the CU's locations. One mobile coach was stationed at the RCU Corporate Offices and another operated outside the CU's Administration Drive Branch. The Blood Bank was able to collect 19 units of blood between the two drives. United Teletech Financial Federal Credit Union, Tinton Falls, N.J., recently hosted a community blood drive at its Tinton Falls Branch, in partnership with the Penn-Jersey Region of the American Red Cross. Over 30 employees, members and people from the community volunteered to donate blood. Altier Credit Union, Tempe, Ariz., recently announced that it has chosen Special Olympics Arizona as its corporate beneficiary. The CU commenced the relationship with a $21,000 donation. Altier's recent donation to SOAZ was comprised of funds raised during Altier CU's Annual Charity Golf Tournament. The tournament included 15 corporate sponsors, over 125 players and a dozen SOAZ athletes, employees and families. Credit Union Association of Colorado, Arvada, Colo., recently presented the $5,000 Brayman-Beach College scholarship to Jenna Simonton, member of Colorado Credit Union. Simonton was valedictorian of her high school and maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout all four years of her high school career. She will be attending the University of Northern Colorado, studying business administration. Scott Credit Union, Collinsville, Ill., raised more than $1,300 for the Children's Miracle Network of Greater St. Louis by selling discounted Six Flags tickets. A portion of the proceeds of each single day ticket and season pass sold contributed to the $1,300 donations. The money will support Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center and St. Louis Children's Hospital. Travis Credit Union, Vacaville, Calif., recently sponsored the 3rd Annual Travis Open held at the Cypress Lakes Golf Course at Travis Air Force Base. The tournament was a fundraiser for Travis Air Force Base booster clubs that put on morale, welfare and recreation events for the troops. Travis Credit Union sponsored a hole for the tournament and provided bags for golf incentive items given to each team who entered the competition. Over 75 people entered the tournament. HarborOne Credit Union, Brockton, Mass., has donated $2,500 to the Brockton Historical Society to help it celebrate the city of Brockton's 125th birthday. As a part of that celebration, the Society will bestow its annual Historic Citizen Award on two remarkable teachers from Brockton High School, Ms. Carole Thomas and Mr. Vincent Macrina. Pacific Service Credit Union, Walnut Creek, Calif., recently granted $5,000 to the Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County to help purchase the equipment needed to launch its new Technology Kids Project. The new program offers 200 youth, who attend CAP's South Park Youth Center, the ability to experience technology first-hand. CAP used the grant money to purchase computers, software and Internet access. CAP works with low income families and individuals to help them achieve economic and social stability; to build community; and to advocate for social and economic justice in Sonoma County.