Langley Federal Credit Union, Newport News, Va., recently opened a new branch located across from the Chesapeake Square Mall. With the opening of this location, LFCU now has 15 branches total. The new branch features an ATM.

UNITED SA Federal Credit Union, San Antonio, recently announced the grand opening of its third San Antonio office located in the Adobe Creek Shopping Center. President and CEO Steve Coomes and Branch Manager Carla Cortez joined representatives from the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and guests to officially celebrate the opening of the new office. This branch offers four teller windows, three member service stations, three drive-through lanes, a drive-up ATM, an after-hours depository and Saturday drive-through hours for the convenience of the membership. Members and potential members took advantage of grand opening specials on 24-month Certificates and Vehicle Loans up to 60 months available only at this location. Additionally, new members who opened a savings account were automatically registered to win a $250 Visa Gift Card.

First Choice America Community Federal Credit Union, Wheeling, W.Va., welcomed members, residents of the Elm Grove area and the business community to its newest office with a grand opening celebration recently. As part of that altruism and service to the community, First Choice presented $250 donations each to the Ohio County Sheriff's Department canine unit, the Wheeling Police Department's motorcycle unit, Elm Grove Girls Softball and Florence Crittenton Services during the grand opening event. The credit union furnished food and beverages for the grand opening, and awarded prizes of a $500 Riesbeck's gift card; $250 cash; television and DVD combo; and gift cards for dinner and gasoline.

DONATIONS

SAFE Federal Credit Union, Sumter, S.C., recently presented scholarship certificates to 17 area high school seniors who were selected by their school districts to receive the awards. The students were honored at the CU's 52nd annual meeting. The scholarships are for $1,000 and are awarded to students who will be attending post-secondary school in South Carolina.

Gerber Federal Credit Union, Fremont, Mich., recently awarded one of its members, David Witham, with $100 Fremont Fun Cash. The award was part of a raffle prize following the 2nd Annual Community and Business Exp presented by the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce.
Diamond Credit Union, Pottstown, Pa., along with the support of the Exeter School District, Pottstown School District, Bob Fisher Chevrolet and Welsh Subaru of Limerick, hosted two Basketball Challenges featuring the Philadelphia Eagles as part of an annual charity drive with all proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. At the sold out Exeter High School event spectators enjoyed the antics of the Philadelphia Eagles players vs. the Exeter "All Stars", comprised of teachers, alumni, and the community. In addition, through a generous donation, 100 children and young adults from the Olivet Boys and Girls Club of Reading were able to attend the event. Both games also featured raffles for autographed memorabilia plus the chance to win two club seat tickets to the Eagles vs. Miami Dolphis game. Through the efforts of both events, Diamond was able to raise over $11,200 for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. The two events were part of a series of events Diamond has organized to benefit the American Cancer Society. The CU anticipates a donation greater than $40,000.

Pacific Service Credit Union, Walnut Creek, Calif., donated $2,000 to The Perinatal Council. The council provides services in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to support healthy births and successful development in children ages zero to five. The donation will be used to purchase toys, books, musical instruments and other materials for new play groups in the city of Antioch. The play groups will help parents learn to care for themselves and their babies under the guidance of child care workers.

South Jersey Federal Credit Union, Deptford, N.J., presented the National Multiple Sclerosis Society a $1,000 donation during their annual walk. Cate Anderson, a 10-year SJFCU employee, captained the "Cate's Crusiers" team of two dozen SJFCU employees and family members who walked.
Whatcom Educational Credit Union, Bellingham, Wash., recently donated to several local nonprofits: $2,000 went to Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County, $2,000 to Brigadoon Youth & Service Dog Programs, $1,120 to Common Threads Farm, $1,000 to Kulshan Supported Employment, $1,000 to Mother Baby Center, $1,000 to Pedal Project, $1,000 to Sumas Youth and Community Services, $1,000 to Whatcom Land Trust, $1,000 to Watered Garden Family Learning Center, $1,000 to Womencare Shelter and $500 to Power of Hope. The Social Responsibility Committee oversees WECU's monetary donations and participation in sweat equity projects. WECU's Social Responsibility Committee supports education, health and community-related projects, actively seeking those that address acute community concerns such as violence, homelessness and drug abuse.

More than 90 employees, family and friends of First Credit Union in Chandler, Ariz. showed up bright and early to benefit the annual Multiple Sclerosis Walk on the Wildside held at the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden recently. The credit union donated more than $2,000 to cause and saw a great turn out of support from members, family and employees.
Parkview Community Federal Credit Union, McKeesport, Pa., sponsored its first-ever Safety Fair recently. The credit union teamed up with other local organizations to provide information on fire prevention, crime prevention, child ID processing, identity theft and document shredding. There were refreshments and a personal paper shredder was raffled off ever half-hour. McGruff, the Crime Dog made a guest appearance as well as Pittsburgh Steelers #31, Mike Logan, who signed autographs and football paraphernalia. The credit union decided to expand its annual shred days into an event that would be beneficial to everyone. The event, which was free to members and nonmembers, was such a huge success the CU plans to do it again next year.
America First Credit Union, Ogden, Utah, awarded $10,000 to this year's winner of the "Eliminate My Debt" sweepstakes, David Martin, during a check presentation held recently. "Eliminate My Debt" sweepstakes was geared toward members to consolidate their debt and to help put them in a better financial position. Martin, a resident of Bountiful, was picked from a pool of over 27,000 entries.

The New York State Credit Union League's 2007 annual Scholarship Program winners have been announced. This year, the League awarded a total of $13,500 to 22 impressive college-bound students: five $1,000 scholarships and seventeen $500 awards. Scholarship applicants competed against other credit union members across the state. Judging was based on their academic performance, extracurricular and community activities, an essay question and a teacher's reference. High school seniors who belong to a credit union and were planning to attend college for the first time were eligible for the scholarships. One hundred twelve credit unions participated in this year's Scholarship Program, submitting a total of 1,458 applications. The winners came from 11 of the League's 14 chapters. Many chapters and credit unions will also be awarding their own scholarships.

The sponsors of the 2007 Oregon and Washington Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction, Vancouver, Wash., announced recently that they raised over $203,000 at the auction. The event, which follows closely on the heels of the California Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction and the Credit Union Miracle Day events in Washington, DC, is the third in a series of credit union fundraisers for Children's Miracle Network hospitals. In less than one month, these three events have raised close to $1.2 million for children's hospitals around the country. The Northwest Credit Unions for Kids wine auction was held at the Governor Hotel in Portland. Oreg. One hundred and fifty attendees were treated to fine wines, original artwork, a lively oral auction and dancing to Dudley Manlove and his band. The live auction was so well-received that auctioneers, Roger Michaelis and Sarah Canepa Bang, got a standing ovation for their efforts. Tony Kitt, Executive Vice President of Wescorp, took everyone by surprise by starting the paddle bids at $10,000 each. Paddle bids are those where bidders simply bid on nothing. Organizers had planned to start at $5,000, but Kitt was adamant and three organizations, Wescorp, CO-OP financial Services and First Technology Credit Union stepped up in a big way. After that, everyone got into the spirit of the evening. Tom Sargent, CEO of First Technology Credit Union and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Children's Miracle Network Foundation took the microphone for a few minutes to thank everyone. Event sponsors agree that Auction Coordinator, Lisa Stokman from iQ Credit Union in Vancouver, Wash, deserves the lion's share of the credit the event's success. She was recently presented with a Dora Maxwell award by CUNA and Affiliates for her efforts and is frequently called upon by other event coordinators for "best practices" for similar auction.