Black Hills Federal Credit Union, Rapid City, S.D., recently announced the recipients of the 2007 ViBZ! Scholarships. The three high-school seniors were chosen from dozens of applicants throughout the Black Hills area, and each received a $1,000 scholarship toward the college of their choice. The recipients are members of Black Hills Federal Credit Union's ViBZ! teen program, which is designed to promote financial literacy among young adults and help them learn to effectively manage their personal finances. In addition to being a ViBZ! member, each high school student was required to write two original essays; list his/her community service and employment history; submit a copy of his/her transcript; and receive endorsement from three different referral sources.
America's First Federal Credit Union, Birmingham, Ala., and the Talladega Superspeedway recently partnered with Habitat for Humanity Birmingham to build a home for a local family. Volunteers from America's First and the Talladega Superspeedway worked together to complete construction of the home and because of their hard work and dedication, construction was completed more than 2 weeks ahead of schedule. Homeowner Constance Walton received several gifts for her new home from the staff of America's First and the Talladega Superspeedway, including her very first washer and dryer. Homeowner Constance Walton and her 2 children believe that this opportunity is a true blessing. Walton has completed 300 "sweat equity hours" and 15 education classes about homeownership. Through the Habitat program, she will repay a zero percent interest mortgage.

Central Florida HealthCare Federal Credit Union, Orlando, Fla. recently raised and donated money to the American Red Cross to help the recent tornado victims in Volusia and Lake Counties. CFHCFCU presented $1,000 to help the recent tornado victims. The donation was presented to Daniel Roll, executive director of the American Red Cross, Florida's Coast to Coast Chapter.

Connex Credit Union, New Haven, Conn., recently donated $250 to the March of Dimes Walk America. The money for the donation came from the fees collected by the coin counting machine in the North Haven branch for the first quarter of 2007. The machine charges a five percent fee to members and a seven percent fee to nonmembers, which Connex gives to nonprofit organizations in the community.

Pacific Service Credit Union, Fresno, Calif., has donated $4,800 to the Fresno Police Activities League (PAL). The funds will be used for three PAL programs: Senior Movie Night, "Baby Think It Over", and KING Leadership. The donation from Pacific Service CU will be used to fund Senior Movie Night, where young people assist senior citizens with yard work, lifting heavy objects, and washing windows and then accompany the senior citizens as they enjoy movies; "Baby Think It Over", which teaches youth about the emotional, physical and financial ramifications of becoming a teen parent; and the KING Leadership program, which focuses on teaching young people about volunteering in their community by helping to clean up low-income Fresno neighborhoods.