"It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is thus shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current, which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance," he quoted.

"Tiny ripples of hope are being sent out every day from ASI FCU in New Orleans to Northwest Baptist FCU in Seattle, from Alternatives FCU in upstate New York to Women's Southwest FCU here in Dallas and West Texas CU in El Paso, from Latino Community CU in North Carolina and Queen of Peace Arlington FCU in Virginia across to Northeast Community CU in San Francisco, and everywhere in between," said Jacob. "I am proud and honored to be part of a movement that does this work and to be able to send out a few of these tiny ripples of hope from Chicago."

Morrisey has volunteered at Queen of Peace for more than three decades. While his credit union is based in a church, he believes that faith is particularly important for all credit unions, regardless of their origin.

"What we CDCUs, and really all credit unions, do day-in and day-out is to take a leap of faith in our members" Morrisey explained to the federation. "When we make loans we have faith that our members will repay that loan." Morrisey provided one of the highlights of the event with a joke that tied Biblical inspiration to efforts of a credit union to collect from a delinquent borrower.

"Both Dan and Ed represent the best traditions of the credit union movement," said Federation President/CEO Cliff Rosenthal. "With limited resources, they have made it their mission to stretch further to reach people in need–immigrants, people with disabilities, people who have been victimized by payday lenders. They have strengthened not only to their communities, but the CDCU movement nationwide."

The Annie Vamper Helping Hands awards were first given out in 1993 to honor the memory of Annie Wilma Vamper, credit union manager, NCUA official and associate director of the federation.

The federation recognized Calder??n for his work with the federation and the Hispanic community. The Network of Latino Credit Unions and Professionals shared the award.

"Maurice has been with us since the very first federation Latino credit union conference in San Antonio, Texas, back in 1999," said Rosenthal.

"By bringing prominent leaders such as U.S. Treasurer Anna Escobedo Cabral and Representative Grace Napolitano to us, he has elevated our work at the national level." Arrowhead CU is one of the charter members of the Federation's Community Development Partner initiative.

Also receiving a friend of the federation Award was Ralph Paige, CEO of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund, Atlanta, Ga. Paige, who is also a board member of the National Cooperative Business Association, "has been a constant advocate for CDCUs and cooperatives generally," said Rosenthal, "especially in the Southeast but also nationally."

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