Michigan First Credit Union, Lathrup Village, Mich., recently opened its new headquarters building with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The local communities of the Lathrup Village/Southfield area of metropolitan Detroit quickly embraced Michigan First as a welcome partner. The three-story home of Michigan First's administrative offices also includes a high-tech 10,000 square foot branch. The Evergreen Branch includes six-double stacked drive-thru lanes that can serve 12 cars at a time, four drive-up ATMs and three MoneyWorks Banking Centers that can cash checks, accept cash and coin deposits, make loan payments, print statements and receipts and much more. The facility features state-of-the-art safe deposit boxes with handprint technology and a children's play area complete with interactive toys, books and a salt-water fish tank. The branch also features eight teller stations, financial investment and insurance service offices, a large reception area with floor-to-ceiling windows and a historical wall display with an interactive, multi-media history of the credit union.

DONATIONS

CDC Federal Credit Union, Atlanta, recently hosted the first annual car wash event to raise funds for Children's Miracle Network (CMN), a nonprofit organization. The event, raising over $300, will be contributed towards CDC FCU's grand total donation in 2007. The car wash took place in Tucker, Ga. and was comprised of CDC FCU associates, who volunteered not only for CMN, but as a part of the credit union's Because We Care community service initiative. Each year, CDC FCU forms a new committee of staff members, to continue raising funds for CMN. In 2006, the committee set a goal to raise $10,000 and exceeded this goal by completing monthly fundraisers. The car wash, helping to reach the 2007 goal of $12,000, is one of many fundraisers CDC FCU associates will take part in.

Seven local area high school students received scholarship awards at the Third Annual Desert Schools Federal Credit Union Community Service Scholarship Awards Ceremony. The program was held at the Desert Schools corporate headquarters in Phoenix. Each year, Desert Schools Federal Credit Union offers scholarships to students in Maricopa, Pinal and Gila County, for their hard work and dedication, both in the classroom and in our community. The grand prize scholarship was $10,000, second place was $5,000, and five additional finalists were awarded $1,000. All finalists were made aware of their scholarship amount at the presentation which was led by Susan Frank, Desert Schools' president and CEO, Jeffrey Meshey, executive vice president and Ron Amstutz, senior vice president. Scholarship applicants were asked to complete 100 or more hours of community service between June 2006 and February 2007, in addition to achieving scholastic excellence and being a member of Desert Schools for at least six months.

United Teletech Financial Federal Credit Union, Tinton Falls, N.J., recently had nearly 40 employees, family, and members participate in Clean Ocean Action's (COA) Annual Spring Beach Sweep at Sandy Hook. As a gesture of its commitment to the community, the company provided over 300 pairs of work gloves to the participants picking up trash. At the event, approximately 700 volunteers threw away more than 15,000 pieces of litter in an on-going effort to keep beaches clean. Volunteers also completed data cards, which were reviewed and entered in a computer database analyzed by COA. Data collected from the beach cleanups is used to identify and monitor pollution trends. The information helps find solutions to keep New Jersey beaches clean and healthy for citizens and marine life.

Hanscom Federal Credit Union, Hanscom AFB, Mass., recently awarded five Condon scholarships at its annual meeting. Credit union members Marianna Ballou, Kristen MacDonnell, William Duff, Laura Duston, and Alexander Pepper each received $1,500 towards the cost of higher education. The Condon scholarship is named in honor of John F. Condon, a long-time board member who provided invaluable guidance and leadership to the credit union in 26 years of volunteer service. Scholarships are given to outstanding student members graduating from high school. Qualities considered include scholarship, extracurricular activities, a one-page essay, and financial need.

Air Force Federal Credit Union, San Antonio, recently announced that eight scholarships were awarded to graduating high school seniors at the Air Force Federal Credit Union Annual Meeting. The George H. Einfeldt Memorial Scholarship for $1,000.00 was awarded to Kevin Eikman; Adam Cribb received the Warren D. Vail Memorial Scholarship, also in the amount of $1,000.00. Six Air Force FCU scholarships in the amount of $500 each were given to the following students: Marco Bass; Paige Carpenter; Valerie Gutierrez; Tiffany Palmer; Lauren Saucier; and Leah Solomon. The credit union understands the financial burden often borne by many members in order to send their children to college or vocational school. Air Force FCU established the scholarship program in an effort to provide assistance, while rewarding deserving high school seniors for their academic achievements and community service.

Neighbors Federal Credit Union, Baton Rouge, La., recently celebrated National Youth Savings Week with the live appearance of Hollywood Hal and Rhinestone Al. Hollywood Hal and Rhinestone Al along with the "Wannabes" helped to reinforce basic character building blocks in children's lives to encourage them not to ever give up on their dreams. Hal and Al's purpose is not only to entertain, but to inspire and encourage children to learn. This event celebrated the weeklong awareness campaign that stresses the importance of youth financial literacy and savings. Hollywood Hal and Rhinestone Al celebrated with over 300 participants. Many of the children opened their first youth savings account using coins they had collected. The grand event featured a giant 80-foot rock climbing wall, spacewalks, dunking booth, train rides and action packed games. There was also free pizza, jambalaya, hot dogs, popcorn and plenty of cokes and other refreshments. All participants received a free Hal and Al t-shirt that they could color using special t-shirt markers. Each child also received a Hal and Al $5 bill to open their new savings account. In addition, each child that opened a youth savings account also received a free Hal and Al CD, a $20 value. Neighbors FCU has teamed up with Hollywood Hal and Rhinestone Al to help teach kids the importance of saving and managing money.

Diamond Credit Union, Pottstown, Pa., recently hosted its third annual Charity Golf Outing with all proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Held once again at Golden Oaks Golf Course in Fleetwood, Pa., this event received the support of 53 corporate sponsorships, 132 golfers representing over 35 businesses, and raised over $18,000. Several opportunities were offered for the golfers to win raffle, monetary and other prizes. Diamond's architect, Courtney Mitchell, who traveled from Ohio to participate in the event, went home with a smile and a flat panel LCD television for his Hole-In-One on par 3 hole #13. After a day on the course, the donation presented to JoAnn McKieman, Relay chairperson for the American Cancer Society, in the amount of $18,710. Diamond will continue its fundraising events for the ACS and expects to exceed last year's contribution of $32,000 by at least 25%.

United Heritage Credit Union, Austin, Texas, recently hosted a member appreciation/reunion day event in conjunction with its 50th anniversary. More than 300 people attended the event held at the Dell Diamond baseball field, home to the Round Rock Express baseball team, the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. Once in the gates, members received a special goodie bag filled with various United Heritage promotional items to commemorate the 50th anniversary. After receiving the bags, many sat down and enjoyed hot dogs, hamburgers, cake, ice cream and drinks. As well as balloon artists and face painters entertaining kids of all ages. In addition to the food and activities, United Heritage registered guests for a chance to win door prizes and organized a baseball guessing contest where members had to guess how many mini baseballs were in the box. A baseball game between the Round Rock Express and the Albuquerque Isotopes was also going on and members were given reserved seating. The CU also presented its annual $2,500 Leroy Hiller Memorial Scholarship to Matthew Jones, who will be attending the University of Texas. In other United Heritage news, the CU also recently received two Golden Mirror Awards. The CU received second place in its asset size for the 2005 Annual Report and an Award of Merit in all asset sizes for a business services print ad.

Compton, Calif.-based Mid-Cities Schools Credit Union recently stepped in to replace fire-damaged books from nearby Anderson Elementary School. The school was in a real bind because the damaged books had originally been purchased by teachers out of their own pockets to make up for a lack of school funding.

Eagle Community Credit Union, Lake Forest, Calif., recently awarded a total of $5,000 in academic scholarships to four impressive college-bound students from local schools. The recipients are: Christopher Nguyen of Junipero Serra High School; Melissa Izbicki of San Clemente High School; Jennifer Morales of Lutheran High School of Orange County; and Jessica Thai of Newport Harbor High School. For 19 years, Eagle CU's Scholarship Committee, comprised of volunteer Board members, has chosen students based on academic achievement, community involvement, and an essay describing their high school background and career goals.