United Teletech Financial Federal Credit Union, Tinton Falls, N.J., had employees, family and members participate in Clean Ocean Action's Annual Fall Beach Sweep at Sandy Hook. A total of 325 volunteers picked up over 10,000 pieces of litter from the beaches. Volunteers also completed datacards, which were reviewed and entered in a computer database analyzed by COA. Data collected from the beach cleanups is used to identify and monitor pollution trends. The information helps find solutions to keep New Jersey beaches clean and healthy for citizens and marine life. Synergy One Federal Credit Union, Manassas, Va., recently had 60 employees participate in the Prince William County Annual America's Walk for Diabetes. Together the Synergy One FCU All Stars team raised a total of $36,753.82 making Synergy One the number one fundraising team in the Greater Prince William area. During the walk other Synergy One FCU employees handed out goodies and give-away items. Ent Federal Credit Union, Colorado Springs, Colo., donated $5,000 to the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region for the education and prevention of childhood obesity. Proceeds and pledge donations from the Ent Community 5K Fitness Challenge, a 5K event held in America the Beautiful Park, supported the donation. The funds will be used by the YMCA for "Kid Fit" and Family Fitness programs at local facilities. Mutual Savings Credit Union, Birmingham, Ala., was a corporate sponsor for the 2006 March of Dimes' Blue Jeans for Babies Day. Blue Jeans for Babies is a fun way for people to help save babies born too small and too soon. By making a donation to March of Dimes, Mutual Savings CU employees were able to come to work in casual work attire. During the week leading up to Blue Jeans for Babies Day, Mutual Savings CU sold March of Dimes cut-outs to its members at all 10 of their branch locations. Over 800 cut-outs were sold in four days. Through sponsorship of the event, community support and generous employees, the CU was able to donate over $2,500 to the March of Dimes. VyStar Credit Union, Jacksonville, Fla., donated over 600 refurbished computers to Northeast Florida students who completed Congresswoman Corrine Brown's Community Book Club Reading Initiative. To become eligible to receive a computer, participating students had to achieve the special initiative goals which were to read at least 25 books and submit a book report for each book read. Diamond Credit Union, Pottstown, Pa., raised over $32,000 for the Pottstown Relay for Life, which benefits the American Cancer Society. Diamond's donation ranked 13th in the state as the largest fundraising donation from a relay team. Pottstown in turn was awarded the second highest fundraising site for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in the state of Pennsylvania. In total, the town raised over $688,000, which the American Cancer Society uses for research, treatment and family support. Patelco Credit Union, San Francisco, mobilized 300 employees from its 37 northern California branches and its Deerfield, Ill.-branch for a day of service in San Francisco. Volunteers gathered at the Argent Hotel for a kick-off celebration and afterwards fanned out to eight community service project locations across the San Francisco Bay Area. Projects included food sorting, painting fences, sprucing up parks, assembling gift baskets, beach clean-up and maintenance. California Credit Union, Glendale, Calif., presented $1,000 to the 6th Annual Los Angeles County Parent Volunteer of the Year. The Parent of the Year winner, Patty Scripter, was chosen by a panel of judges, including CCU's Chief Marketing Officer Ron Stratman. Scripter has offered to donate half of her award money to the PTA. The Parent Volunteer of the Year award honors parent volunteers for their invaluable and tireless contributions to public schools. The nominees were selected for exceptional achievement and leadership service from local PTA or PTSA districts. Scripter has donated more than 20 years of volunteer service to PTA District No. 1. Affinity Federal Credit Union, Basking Ridge, N.J., organized "Team Affinity", comprised of two groups of credit union employees and members, who participated in the American Diabetes Association's annual event, America's Walk for Diabetes. The group raised $1,775. Clearview Federal Credit Union, Moon Township, Pa., continued its effort to increase awareness of the importance of blood donation by hosting its annual fall blood drive at its Pittsburgh Branch office. A total of 23 units of blood were collected and donated to the Pittsburgh Central Blood Bank. Robins Federal Credit Union, Warner Robins, Ga., recently gave $5,000 in Base Exchange gift cards and over 400 holiday cards to the 21st Century Partnership and the Band of the Air Force Reserve to distribute to Robins Air Force Base deployed troops in support of their "Operation Seasons Greetings" annual morale boosting tour. In addition, the CU collected over 40 boxes of supplies in its "Operation Support Our Troops" holiday outreach program. Items such as: prepackaged food, personal care items and entertainment items will be shipped to RAFB deployed troops. The local Air Force Association Chapter has generously volunteered to help cover some of the postage expenses. Northrop Grumman employees collected seven boxes of supplies as well. South Florida Educational Federal Credit Union, Miami, awarded 15 graduating seniors a Florida Prepaid College Scholarship. With the escalating costs of a secondary education, today's value for a four-year scholarship can exceed $40,000. Since the program's inception, South Florida Educational FCU has awarded 159 scholarships. Cal State 9 Credit Union, Concord, Calif., donated $26,729 to the Oakland Unified School District recently to support programs in four key areas: School Libraries; Early Literacy; After School Tutoring; and College Readiness. The Oakland Unified School District serves approximately 49,000 students at 111 schools. MidWest Financial Credit Union, Ann Arbor, Mich., joined UMHS Financial for the Shoes That Fit program, providing 102 children in the area with new shoes. In additional to asking members for donations, the CU partnered with the University of Michigan Health System to make the program a success. Silver State Schools Credit Union, Las Vegas, recently had employees participate in the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. A premier event since 1993, ACS's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer strives to raise awareness and dollars to fight breast cancer. SSSCU employees raised over $800 in donations Ella DeGrace, branch officer at the Legion Parkway office of Harbor One Credit Union, Brockton, Mass., recently awarded a $250 Stop & Shop gift card to Nora Heuston. The prize was part of a major advertising campaign promoting new checking accounts. For any new checking account opened with either direct deposit or online bill payment the customer received a $50 gift card. In addition, they were offered a $25 gift card for referrals resulting in new checking accounts. Nora Heuston was the 2nd winner of a $250 gift card as part of a drawing that accompanied the promotion. Visions Federal Credit Union, Endicott, N.Y., along with GPO Federal Credit Union, New Hartford, N.Y., recently partnered to support their communities. With the assistance of the USDA, these two credit unions are financing a large sports dome for a nonprofit group called Rising Stars Soccer Club. The new facility will provide a state of the art soccer complex for over 300 children, plus have the ability to host numerous community events.