AWARDS
Sierra Central Credit Union's Chico Branch, Chico, Calif., celebrated its Sierra Cup win with an awards dinner at Johnnie's Restaurant in the Hotel Diamond. The Sierra Cup Trophy represents the highest team achievement possible in Sierra Central's Retail Bank Branch network each quarter by recognizing the best overall performance for net loan growth, net share growth and additional banking product growth. In the seven years that the Sierra Cup has been awarded at Sierra Central, Chico, led by Branch Vice President Cathy Quinones, was the first branch to win the cup outright for all four quarters in 2006.

BRANCHING OUT
Telcom Credit Union, Novi, Mich., has opened a new, full-service branch in South Lyon. Telcom held a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the grand opening. The branch is located in the new Glenwood Shopping Plaza and is the first credit union in South Lyon.

Metro 1 Credit Union, Oakley, Calif., celebrated the grand opening of its newest branch located in the Oakley Raley's Grocery Store on Main Street. The theme for the grand opening, Super Bowl, made for a fun day with Metro 1 employees dressed in football jerseys. The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was attended by many special guests including Oakley Mayor Kevin Romick, Vice Mayor John Connelley, CEO Tina Fields, Metro 1 Board of Directors Secretary Jack Thomson, Treasurer John Isaac, representatives from the Oakley Chamber of Commerce and Raley's Store Manager Craig Fischer. Jack Thomson had the honor of cutting the ribbon. Metro 1 employees greeted shoppers with a smile and an invitation to join the celebration. Attendees who opened a new account received a Raley's gift card to use immediately and their name was entered into the hourly drawings. At the end of the event, names were drawn for two grand prizes, a $500 Raley's Gift Card and an autographed framed Ken “The Snake” Stabler jersey.

Park Community Federal Credit Union, Louisville, Ky., recently purchased property that they will use to break ground on a new building. This branch will be the seventh branch for Park Community in the Louisville area. There are plans to open a branch in Indiana later this year.

Point Loma Credit Union, Rancho Bernardo, Calif., recently relocated its Rancho Bernardo Branch to a new location just two miles from the old branch. The new branch was opened with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by PLCU directors, staff and members, as well as representatives of the North County Chamber of Commerce and members of the local business community. Jack FM provided entertainment and brought along a prize slot machine so guests could “spin to win.” There were also catered refreshments, free gifts and a door prize drawing for a Dom Perignon gift basket. The new location was also promoted by a mobile billboard throughout northern San Diego County.

OnPoint Community Credit Union, Portland, Ore., recently opened its 11th branch in Beaverton's Murrayhill area. The Murrayhill Branch is the first new branch opened in the Portland metro area since OnPoint converted to a community charter last year. The 4,300-square foot space will offer a wide range of financial products including consumer loans, checking and savings accounts, investment services and an ATM.

Georgetown Kraft Credit Union, Georgetown, S.C., recently opened a branch in Georgetown High School's Career Center. As the first high school branch in the state of South Carolina, the new branch acts as a pilot program for the school district with possibilities of expanding into other county high schools in coming years. The branch is open during lunch periods on Tuesdays and Fridays. During operational hours, students and faculty members can sign up for accounts, make deposits and minimum withdrawals, have one-on-one help with balancing checkbooks, getting started with debit cards and researching ways to borrow money. A GKCU employee operates the branch with plans to eventually train students to help in the operation of the branch during the school year.

DONATIONS
Pacific Service Credit Union, Walnut Creek, Calif., recently donated $5,000 to the American Red Cross Bay Area to support 2007 CPR Preparedness Saturday events. CPR Preparedness Saturday is an annual event where the Red Cross provides free CPR training at various locations around the Bay Area. Participants will learn adult CPR, rescue breathing, and how to better prepare for disasters. The classes are being offered in both English and Spanish.

Eagle Community Credit Union, Lake Forest, Calif., brought greater awareness to the needs of seriously-ill children and boosted the CU's member donations to Children's Miracle Network with it's “Give a Gift for Two” Visa Gift Card program. While Eagle CU has a long tradition of supporting Children's Miracle Network with holiday fundraising, in May 2006, they introduced the exclusive gift card program and committed 25% of card fee income to CMN. The CU's President Sharon Updike presented $4,602 as the CU's 2006 donation.

Educational Community Credit Union, Kalamazoo, Mich., recently announced the results of the credit union's recent “Everybody Wins” promotion, which awarded $17,225 in member-directed donations and cash prizes to the greater educational community. New or existing ECCU members who opened a new checking account during the three-month promotion received $25 cash rewards for themselves and $25 for the school or educational program of their choice within Michigan. Members were also entered in two $1,000 cash prize drawings with two $1,000 ECCU matching donations directed to the school or educational program of the winners' choice.
America First Credit Union, Ogden, Utah, donated a total of $14,627.24 during 2006 thanks to member and employee donations. America First purchased over 400 pairs of shoes in the Ogden area, 100 pairs in the Brigham City area, and sent over $5,000 to the Utah League of Credit Unions to purchase shoes in the Salt Lake area as part of the Warm the Soles program. Credit union employees and members have supported this program since its inception. Many members and employees donate monthly to the program. In addition, many employees have participated in the wrapping of shoes and the distribution to the children.

DOT Federal Credit Union, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., recently presented $800 to The Children's Home of Poughkeepsie as part of the Credit Unions Care for Kids program. DOT FCU raised money throughout 2006 to benefit The Children's Home of Poughkeepsie as part of Credit Unions Care for Kids, the annual statewide community involvement program of the New York State Credit Union League. As part of the fundraising efforts, DOT Federal Credit Union sold plush lambs, which were displayed on the teller line and hosted a Youth Night, in April during National Credit Union Kids Week. Credit union staff taught the kids how to write checks and for every check the kids wrote, DOT FCU made a $1.00 donation to The Children's Home of Poughkeepsie.

Energy Federal Credit Union, Rockville, Md., implemented a holiday Skip-a-Payment Program, which allowed loan payers to provide a $25 enrollment fee in lieu of their monthly loan payments. One hundred percent of the fees collected were donated to the Children's Miracle Network and amounted to $4,475. Energy FCU also produced over $1,300 in advertising materials for the Skip-a-Payment Promotion. Energy FCU's donation will go to Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.