In Other News

AWARDS Diamond Credit Union, Pottstown, Pa., was recognized by the United Way for their fifth consecutive year of 100% employee participation and a 44% donation increase from last year. Diamond was visited by two representatives from the United Way, Alba Martinez, president/CEO of SE PA, and Wendy David, executive director of W. Monto. County. Altura Credit Union, Riverside, Calif., along with its affiliate company, Auto Expert Brokers of America, LLC, were named as separate Silver-level award recipients in the 2006 California Awards for Performance Excellence program. CAPE is the state-level affiliate of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. This is the third time Altura has been recognized with a CAPE Award; the first time for Auto Expert. United Teletech Financial Federal Credit Union, Tinton Falls, N.J., was recently recognized as a “Best of the Best” performer by PHH Mortgage of Mount Laurel. UTF partners with PHH to fund the first mortgages of its members. The distinction was earned by meeting specific goals throughout the year. BRANCHING OUT Pen Air Federal Credit Union, Pensacola, Fla., breaks ground on NAS Corry Station in an effort to build better base facilities, accessible to both the military and civilians. The new building will be located at the front entrance of the Navy Exchange Mall right outside NAS Corry Station. The branch will feature drive-up service, drive-up ATM along with safe deposit boxes. Public Service Credit Union, Sumpter Township, Mich., opened its sixth branch office with fanfare and fun recently. The newest branch office will serve as the only financial institution in this rural community and give its residents much needed service. The new branch is located in the Sumpter Community Center. The official grand opening was celebrated with a festive ribbon cutting ceremony including dignitaries from the township, credit union and neighboring community, Belleville. The ribbon was created out of 50 brand new $1 bills that were given away to Gary Snarski, who entered to win it over the first week the credit union was open. Credit Union Associations of Colorado and Wyoming, Arvada, Colo., purchased a 1929 building in a historic area of Denver. The building is strategically located and will provide increased visibility for credit unions, better proximity to both regulators and legislators and enhanced accessibility to other state associations who share a common interest with the credit union movement. Renown as the “Casa Grande” building, the 3-story, 23,000 square foot structure reflects a distinguished historic architecture and includes a spacious floor-plan for optimal usage. The new headquarters is currently being remodeled and renovated. Fort Lee Federal Credit Union, Prince George, Va., recently held the groundbreaking on its second location. This second location will be 4,000 square feet with an ATM, night drop, two drive thru lanes with a potential for a third, four teller stations, five offices along with a living room area and fireplace so members feel the comforts of home. There is also an internet and community room, where the CU hopes to host many seminars and educational sessions for the benefit of the Fort Lee Community. The construction of the facility will allow for additional expansion when needed. DONATIONS Pen Air Federal Credit Union, Pensacola, Fla., recently donated $1,000 to the Toys For Tots Foundation. Marine Corps representatives from NAS Pensacola, on behalf of the foundation, accepted the donation. The Marine Corps had spent many man hours setting up drop box locations, collecting fundraisers and getting the word out about Toys For Tots and the many underprivileged children the organization helps during the holidays. Pen Air FCU was not only happy to make the donation, but also served as a drop box location. Ventura County Credit Union, Ventura, Calif., recently awarded a 2006 Honda Fit as part of the Ventura Country Credit Union’s Get Fit Sweepstakes. The winner was Leigh Duquette of Green Valley. The Get Fit campaign encouraged members to get their finances in shape by saving money, eliminating high-interest debt and taking full advantage of VCCU. Members earned sweepstakes entries by opening a special Get Fit Savings account, new loans, adding services, and for attending financial education seminars and the annual meeting. Greenville Federal Credit Union, Greenville, S.C., raised $7,200 for cancer survivor, Mindy Goodwin, in less than three weeks with the help of its members and staff. The CU raised the money through member donations to help purchase Mindy a new viola and help defray medical expenses. More than 10 years ago, the CU provided Al and Tracy Goodwin with a loan to help them afford the adoption of five children. They have grown up to be excellent string musicians, but recently Mindy developed a rare and aggressive form of leukemia with less than a 20% survival rate. The CU helped the Goodwins, its longtime friends, overcome the disease with the help of members and staff. Colorado State Employees Credit Union, Denver, Colo., recently held its annual food drive benefiting the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program. There were over 100 food collection bins located across the Sate of Colorado including in all CSECU office locations. The C-SEAP Food Drive was a great success gathering hundreds of bags of nonperishable food and over $1,700 in monetary donations. All contributions go to state employees and their families in need of assistance throughout the year. Connex Credit Union, New Haven, Conn., awarded $500 to the New Haven Pop Warner Youth Football Team recently. The money will help send the team to the Pop Warner Superbowl. Georgia Federal Credit Union, Dublin, Ga., recently participated in the 2006 Annual Holiday Wish Tree program. This was the 16th year that GFCU has worked with the local Departments of Family & Children’s Services within the counties the CU serves, granting Christmas wishes for needy foster children. Each GFCU branch had a Wish Tree on display with star ornaments that listed a child’s holiday wish. Individuals selected a star, purchased the gift and returned the unwrapped present to GFCU. Hundreds of wish had been granted to local needy children. First Flight Federal Credit Union, New Bern, N.C., and the Coastal Carolina Chapter of Habitat for Humanity raised $34,000 during the 2006 Gold Tournament held at the Country Club of the Crystal Coast in Pine Knoll Shores, surpassing last year’s record of $26,500. The proceeds from this year’s tournament will be used to begin construction on a seventh house in Carteret County. Long Beach Chapter of Credit Unions, Long Beach, Calif., celebrated their Holiday Dinner at The Reef Restaurant. The CU members of the chapter collected unwrapped toys for Miller Children’s Hospital at Long Beach Memorial. Cori Zanderbeek from the Child Life Department represented the children’s hospital by attending the dinner and accepted the toys from Santa. MaPS Credit Union, Salem, Ore., delivered 40 food boxes to schools in the Cascade, Stayton, Mt. Angel, Silverton, Gervais, North Mario, Dallas and Central school districts. School staff then delivered the boxes to needy families in their areas. This annual project has been ongoing since 1985. The staff and credit union donate food and cash for a full holiday dinner and some extra staples and treats. Each of the eight districts receives five food boxes and they decide which families receive the help. Jersey Shore Federal Credit Union, Northfield, N.J., held its annual gift drive to benefit children in need for the 16th consecutive year. The credit union collected 107 gifts for children in the care of the Division of Youth and Family Services. METRO 1 Credit Union, Concord, Calif., recently replaced the new baseball equipment that was stolen from Concord High School. The school and baseball team were extremely grateful, as they had spent many hours earning the money to purchase their new equipment for the 2007 baseball season. Three hours after the CU heard about the theft, representatives were at the school presenting the $3,500 for new equipment. Downey Federal Credit Union, Downey, Calif., awarded 300 new and used books in English and Spanish to Ward Elementary School, collected from generous member and employee donations. Bins were placed in the CU’s main branch and in the Express Service Office at the Downey Regional Medical Center. Community members responded by filling the book bins. DFCU brought the books and wrapping paper to the school so teachers could choose age-appropriate reading material for students whose parents may not be in the position to purchase books for them at the holiday season. DuPont Community Credit Union, Waynesboro, Va., has partnered with the Waynesboro Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Christmas Program by donating clothing and toys for 30 children. Employees at DCCU had Angel Tree tags for 30 children, approximately 120 gifts were purchases. Employees helped deliver these gifts to the Salvation Army and parents came to collect the gifts for their children. DCCU employees have been donating to the Angel Tree Program for over five years. Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, Kingston, N.Y., donated $963 for the DARE program. The donation represents funds collected in 2006 through the sale of Lulu the Lamb, this past year’s mascot in the New York State Credit Union League’s annual fundraiser for the Credit Unions Care for Kids program. The league supplied participating CUs with the lambs, which were sold for $5 each. All proceeds went to a local children’s charity of each individual CU’s choice. In addition to the monetary donation, the remaining Lulu the Lambs were also donated to Town of Ulster Police to give to children who face a crisis and need a friend. ART: toy drive donation site.jpg CUT: The room were all the toy drive donations were dropped off for NWFCU’s Toys for Kids Drive was brimming with fulfilled wishes for the Herndon area’s less fortunate children. Northwest Federal Credit Union, Herndon, Va., recently held both its annual Food Drive and Toys for Kids Drive. The two charitable drives took place at the CU’s Herndon, Chantilly and Vienna branches. More than 200 new toys and books were collected as well as a record 432 pounds of groceries. Reston Interfaith organized the food drive and distributed the donated food, which help feed those families in need and stock the local food banks. The toys were donated to Northern Virginia Family Service for distribution to the community’s less fortunate children, ranging in age from infant to 18-years old. Credit Union of Texas, Dallas, donated $8,982 to the Children’s Miracle Network. CMN is a nonprofit organization dedicated to generating funds and awareness programs for children served by its many affiliated hospitals. The donation was the result of Credit Union of Texas member and employee contributions through the sale of Entertainment Passbooks. This year’s contribution will benefit Children’s Hospital in Dallas. ART: Wayne Truxillo.jpg CUT: Navy Federal’s Wayne D. Truxillo presenting Gunnery Sergeant Deena Coleman with $2,400 to support the Toys for Tots Foundation in Virginia Beach. Navy Federal Credit Union, Vienna, Va., donated more than 18,000 toys as a corporate sponsor for the ninth year to the Toys for Tots Campaign. In addition, generous members and employees donated over $4,650 to the Toys for Tots Foundation. The Navy Federal branch in Singapore showed its support with a Chili Cook-Off where military and civilian personnel of Navy Region Singapore brought toy donations to accompany their most spice and original chili dishes. Another branch in Okinawa held a raffle of an authentic Thai wooden bench that was donated by a local furniture store. Members were eligible for a raffle ticket by bringing in a toy donation. Veridian Credit Union, Waterloo, Iowa, recently announced the recipients of its Inclusive Community Grant. The Inclusive Community Grant is awarded to programs that celebrate and raise community awareness of traditionally excluded groups or cultures. A total of $25,000 was available through the grant. The Cedar Falls Human Rights Commission received funding to create a multimedia educational DVD to teach immigrants about their U.S. rights and about discrimination laws. Lutheran Services of Iowa received funding for its Refugee Community Center, which is a space for mentorship and active learning between refugees and community volunteers. Bright Move Network received funding for its Adult Mentoring Program. The program uses dinners, one-on-one mentoring, community connection projects and The Women of Care Project to facilitate refugee integration and cross-cultural learning. Latinos Unidos received funding for its Community Resource Fairs. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cedar Rapids received funding for Lunch Buddies, a school-based mentoring program that places adult mentors in schools with a high percentage of children from low-income families in an effort to improve students’ self-confidence, attitudes toward school, class participation and academic performance. CDC Federal Credit Union, Atlanta, recently announced a 2006 donation of over $10,000 to Children’s Miracle Network. Donations are given to programs such as cancer treatments, cardiology, neonatal care, orthopedics and transplant services to hospitals like Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The committee raised the funds by completing monthly fundraising promotions such as selling candy and raffling baseball and aquarium tickets. Internal contributions from associates averaged around 75% of the total funds raised. Of this, a large portion came directly from associates’ paychecks. MaPS Credit Union, Salem, Ore., presented fourth-quarter checks totaling more than $1,100 to four local MaPS Free Community Checking account partners: Salem YWCA, Monmouth-Independence YMCA, Salem Boys and Girls Club and Habitat for Humanity of the Willamette Valley. This donation brings MaPS’ yearly donations to nearly $4,000 for 2006. ART: PC Donation Photo.jpg CUT: In addition to providing the equipment, Jim Evans, vice president of information technology at American Eagle, and Rich Marinelli, marketing manager, volunteered to set up the new computer systems. American Eagle Federal Credit Union, East Hartford, Conn., made a donation to upgrade the computer technology at the East Hartford Chamber of Commerce. The $2,500 donation included the purchase of two new Dell Dimension desktop personal computers with flat panel monitors and Windows XP Professional operating system. Other technology accessories were included in the donation, including software that will facilitate the management of e-mail. ART: First Place Family Center Donations.jpg CUT: These are just some of the items staff members at Oregon Community CU collected for First Place Family Center. Oregon Community Credit Union, Eugene, Ore., donated $1,700 and practical items to First Place Family Center, a Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County organization dedicated to assisting homeless families with children. By coordinating donation stations in Lane County branches and corporate offices, staff members were able to supply First Place Family Center with 200 hundred cans of high-protein food; 50 sleeping bags; 800 diapers; 4,000 baby wipes, 65 cans of shaving cream; 45 packs of razors; and countless boxes of clothes, towels, toys and stuffed animals. The CU also hosted a lunch for eight First Place families. After the lunch, staff accompanied the families to Wal-Mart to spend $50 gift cards provided by the credit union.