DONATIONS South Central State Employees Credit Union, Jackson, Mich., donated nearly $20,000 to Jackson Community College, while CP Federal Credit Union, Jackson, Mich., promised an additional $25,000 over five years. The SCSECU funds are slated to purchase high-tech equipment that will enhance JCC's Criminal Justice Program while the CP FCU donation will sponsor a classroom in the Info & Technology Center at the college. Both CUs' donations will enhance learning for students at the college. Affinity Federal Credit Union, Basking Ridge, N.J., and Honey's Child Ministries partnered together during the 2006 Thanksgiving season to give over 150 local families a Thanksgiving feast. This was the fifth year in a row that this partnership has helped needy families. AFCU arranged for food drops at their various branches, which were then collected and sorted by employees. The volunteer team also coordinated donations from numerous area supermarkets including King's and ShopRite. Synergy One Federal Credit Union, Manassas, Va., was awarded a $25,000 grant from the National Credit Union Foundation to continue the Reality Store project. This is the first time NCUF has given a grant to a Virginia credit union. NCUF awards funding to credit unions that have innovative development initiatives to improve consumer financial independence and the Reality Store was a good fit. The Reality Store is a simulation game in which students learn money management skills to live everyday life. Synergy One FCU partnered with the VA Cooperative Extension, George Mason University, the Office of Business Partnerships, Prince William County Schools and the Greater Manassas Chamber of Commerce to implement the project. Gerber Federal Credit Union, Fremont, Mich., recently awarded credit union member Hester Borgman $100 Newaygo Bucks as a raffle prize following the Newaygo Community Expo presented by the Newaygo Area Chamber of Commerce. Downey Federal Credit Union, Downey, Calif., presented $200 to each of 25 winning teachers in the Downey Unified School District at the District Office. For over five years, DFCU has sponsored this grant program. Teachers at any public, private or parochial school within the DUSD district are eligible to submit their grant request. Entries include how the grant money would enrich their students learning experience and benefit the classrooms. The grant money was evenly dispersed among each of the academic levels, elementary, middle, high school and adult education. US Federal Credit Union, Burnsville, Minn., donated 10 computer systems to Bridging, Inc., to aid them in extending necessary services further into the community. Bridging assists individuals in transition with furniture and household items. Bridging, Inc. will open the doors to its third location in November 2007. The computers will be used in this Roseville warehouse. Toledo Area Community Credit Union, Perrysburg, Ohio, presented $2,000 to Perrysburg High School's marching band. The donation was a result of a fundraiser that the credit union held as part of its most recent branch opening. TACCU's fifth branch is in the heart of Yellow Jacket country and the fundraiser played off of the homecoming theme and allowed TACCU a fun way to support the community. Band members and their supporters could purchase tickets for a chance to semi-Sumo wrestle their band directors. TACCU pledged to match the amount raised to a total of $2,000. A total of $300 was raised and TACCU matched and then went on to donate the full $2,000 limit. Pueblo Chapter of Credit Unions, Pueblo, Colo., came together to conclude their recent toy drive. Pueblo Government Agencies Federal Credit Union staff delivered the toys to the Salvation Army to assist them in reaching their goal of providing toys to every needy child in Pueblo. So many toys were donated, they wouldn't fit in just one SUV…they filled up a Buick, and then a mini van until every toy was safe and secure. The Palm Beach Chapter of The Florida Credit Union League recently held its 16th annual charity golf tournament at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. With more than 200 golfers participating, the tournament raised $13,511.79. This year's recipient is the PGA Foundation, which provides resources and professional expertise to assist underprivileged children. Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Mechanicsburg, Pa., recently participated in the NAVICP Underprivileged Children's Holiday Party held at the Navy Depot. This year, 111 children attended the party. Various associates from Members 1st volunteered to anonymously purchase age-appropriate gifts specifically for these children who were known as the associate's "Little Buddy." In addition, prior to the event, each child submitted a list of family members and ages that they needed gifts for. Members 1st organized and staffed the "Santa's Workshop" at the event which provided more than 550 gifts for these children to "shop" for free for their family members. CU staff assisted the children while "shopping" in the Workshop, filling out gift tags and wrapping gifts as needed. Security Service Federal Credit Union, San Antonio, recently teamed up with the San Antonio Express-News and Clear Channel Communications to help the Food Bank raise more than a million pounds of food to help families in need throughout South Texas. The drive resulted in 1,005,000 pounds of canned food items–more than enough to make three quarters of a million meals for thousands this holiday season and on into the new year. The CU also held a two day drive to collect turkeys for the Food Bank to distribute at Thanksgiving. More than a ton of turkeys were collected, helping to feed at least 200 families a special holiday meal. First Community Credit Union, Chesterfield, Mo., collected over 575 coats for the sixth annual Warners' Warm-Up Coat Drive. First Community volunteered 11 branches as drop-off sites during its first year teaming up with the Kurt Warner Things First Foundation for Warners' Warm-Up. Each branch had a collection box, decorated by employees, in the lobby for credit union members to donate new or gently used winter coats. First Financial, Wall, N.J., donated a truckload of gifts to the Snowflake Wishes drive at the United Way and adopted the Bradley Second Grade Class. Through United Way's annual Snowflake Wishes drive, gifts are collected for the holidays and distributed to those in need. Snowflake Wishes tags list an individual's name, age, gender, sizes and holiday wishes. After First Financial employees or members purchased the "wished for" items, the gifts were delivered to the United Way and donated to the Monmouth and Ocean County families in need. The CU also adopted a class at the Bradley School in Asbury Park, something the Neptune branch does every year. First Financial's Santa Claus visited the school's second grade class. CU employees and members donated gifts that were given to the students that sat with Santa Claus.