WASHINGTON — Actor and former first son Steve Ford told officials of Maine credit unions that they will live more satisfying lives if they go outside their comfort zone to help others.

Ford, who played one of Meg Ryan's boyfriends (before she wound up with Billy Crystal) in the 1989 romantic comedy “When Harry Met Sally,” talked about his experiences giving inspirational speeches to prisons and going to Africa on humanitarian missions during a Saturday speech at the 70th annual convention of the Maine Credit Union League in Portland.

The son of the late former President Gerald Ford said that seven years ago he took time off from his acting, after accepting a challenge from his nieces and nephew to become more involved in helping others. He noted that he often gets more inspiration from those he speaks to or helps than they get from him.

Approximately 700 people attended the two-day convention which also featured speeches by U.S. Reps. Tom Allen Michael Michaud (both D-Maine). Attendees also heard from Adam Cote, a lawyer and life-long credit union member whom the league has endorsed in the six-candidate Democratic primary to replace Allen, who is challenging Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) in this year's election. The league invited Collins to appear but she had another engagement.

There are 68 credit unions in Maine.