United Educational Credit Union, Battle Creek, Mich., awarded two $300 Bright Ideas Partnership grants to Albion Public School's Harrington and Washington Gardner Schools. The grants were applied for by the district media specialist for Albion Public Schools to update the libraries at both schools. The Bright Ideas Partnership Program helps educational ideas and projects become reality through financial assistance.

The Credit Union Car Club, San Diego, will host its second annual show “Credit Unions & Cars for Kids” car show on May 4. The show will feature at least 150 cars and motorcycles along with music, food, and vendors. Last year the show raised $20,000 for Rady Children's Hospital. This year's show will again benefit Rady Children's Hospital and the goal is to raise $25,000.

CU Business Group, LLC, Portland, Ore., attended the Credit Unions for Kids Magic & Miracles auction held annually by the Credit Union Association of Oregon. CUBG successfully bid on a Sony PlayStation with a plasma monitor that they then offered back to Credit Union For Kids and for donation to Rogue Valley Medical Center's children's ward. When the PlayStation and monitor was delivered to the medical center the Credit Union Association of Oregon presented a donation of $500 to be used to buy additional games for the children. At the auction, CUBG also donated $1,000 in cash to Credit Unions for Kids, which was pooled with other funds for donation to Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland.

Numerica Credit Union, Spokane, Wash., participated in the 2008 Polar Bear Plunge at Medical Lake Waterfront Park. The team from Numerica CU raised $2,190, which added to the total of $20,000 that was raised by the entire event. The proceeds will benefit the Special Olympics of Washington. Numerica CU employees Kimberly Hulse and Danielle Shawgo won the Most Original category of the event's costume contest dressed as a cup of coffee and a doughnut. Numerica employees also served coffee and cocoa to participants.

Pacific Service Credit Union, Walnut Creek, Calif., partnered with the American Red Cross Bay Area for its annual CPR Saturday events. The Red Cross provided free CPR training to more than 3,000 Bay Area residents at 14 training sites around the Bay Area, with the support of Pacific Service CU. Participants learned adult CPR, rescue breathing, and how to better prepare for disasters. After successfully completing a written test and a hands-on skills test, participants received an American Red Cross certificate valid for one year. Classes were also offered in both English and Spanish.

Pen Air Federal Credit Union, Pensacola, Fla., hosted its first blood drive of 2008 to support patients of local hospitals. Employees donated more than 20 units to Northwest Florida Blood Center. Pen Air FCU holds employee blood drives once every quarter. Last year, Pen Air FCU donated more than 65 units of blood.

American Heritage Federal Credit Union, Philadelphia, hosted a Supermarket Shopping Spree at the Landis Supermarket in Perkasie, Pa. Six American Heritage FCU members had 15 minutes to race down the aisles for a chance to win up to $1,200 in free groceries. The winner received the groceries they collect and an additional $600 in groceries. The participants were selected as part of an ongoing 60th Anniversary Sweepstakes raffle. The shopping spree event also benefited the Credit Union's Kids-N-Hope Foundation.

First Credit Union, Chandler, Ariz., raised $10,000 for Children's Miracle Network “Credit Unions for Kids” fundraising campaign. First CU was honored by the Phoenix Children's Hospital for its support of the campaign. One way First CU raised money was by selling candy bars at its 14 branches.

Northwest Federal Credit Union, Herndon, Va., announced that its foundation, Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation, formed an official business partnership with Rachel Carson Middle School. The foundation donated $5,000 to the school to help fund professional staff development. In the partnership, NWFCU agreed to provide staff volunteers to the school in an effort to promoted financial education in the classrooms, conduct a “Savings for College” seminar for parents, and participate in after-school programming and other special events. The monetary donation will also be used to upgrade existing teacher laptops and equipment in the classrooms.

Wright-Patt Credit Union, Fairborn, Ohio, announced the grand opening of its new Springfield Member Center located at 1697 North Bechtle Ave. President/CEO Doug Fecher hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony and Mayor Warren Copeland and State Representative Chris Widener attended as special guests. Wright-Patt CU provided visitors with lunch and the opportunity to unlock three treasure chests filled with 14 prizes including a Dell laptop and an Apple iPod Touch.

OnPoint Community Credit Union, Portland, Ore., will open its 12th branch in Wilsonville, Ore. in August. The new branch will be 5,000-square-feet and will be in Lowrie's Marketplace Shopping Center that includes Albertsons, Starbucks, retail shops, and restaurants. It is also located just one block from major highway I-5 to provide easy access from consumers.

VyStar Credit Union, Green Cove Springs, Fla., announced the ground breaking of its new Green Cove Springs branch at 501 North Orange Ave. VyStar CU officials along with officials from the City of Green Cove Springs and Clay County participated in the ceremony for the new branch. The new branch will be a full-service branch with five teller stations, five member service offices, one online banking station, one outside walk-up and one drive-up ATM, four drive-thru lanes and safe deposit boxes, and extensive landscaping. The branch is scheduled to open during the fall.

University of Illinois Employees Credit Union, Champaign, Ill., held a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house at its new branch located at the Gateway Shoppes at Five Points in Urbana. The ceremony was attended by Illinois State Representative Naomi Jakobsson, Mayor of Urbana Laurel Prussing, representatives from the Urbana Business Association, council members and staff from the City of Urbana. The lobby at the new branch features a huge mural behind the teller line and community photographs that are displayed through out the building. The branch features a Tech Center, a Kids Center, and a unique reverse drive-up which features video monitors at each station.

Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, Kenai, Alaska, announced the opening of its new Financial Center at 230 Bidarka Street. The 7,400 square foot building houses a full-services branch office, as well as offices for Alaska USA Mortgage Company and Alaska USA Insurance Brokers.

Northland Area Federal Credit Union, Harrisville, Mich., held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of its new facility in Harrisville. Howard Spencer Northland Area FCU chairman and John Dobis Mayor of Harrisville cut the ribbon. Also, Northland FCU opened another new full service branch in Hale. A grand opening ceremony for both new branches was held on April 7.

Torrance Community Credit Union, Torrance, Calif., announced its new Community Charter. Its primary base membership consisted of Torrance city employees, but has expanded its membership eligibility to include all of Torrance, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes, Hawthorne, Lawndale, and Lennox residents.

Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union, Brooklyn, N.Y., opened its new branch in Garfield, N.J. This branch is the first of three new locations it plans on opening in 2008. The Garfield branch is the fifth New Jersey location for PSFCU and its 11th overall throughout the tri-state region. The 5,000 square foot office features six teller stations, a business services department, a conference room, a lunch room, and spacious member service representative work areas. CEO Bogdan Chmielewski cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony assisted by the members of the Board of Directors.

Charter Oak Federal Credit Union, Groton, Conn., relocated its Willimantic office from 1315 Main St. to 893 Main St. The move now places the office in the heart of downtown. The office has three bilingual employees and is a full service branch. Hours of operation have increased to Monday, Thursday, and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Also, Charter Oak FCU opened the doors of its branch at Robert E. Fitch High School.