SAN ANTONIO — The financial crisis was President Bush's top priority on his visit to San Antonio last week, but in a noteworthy sidelight, he also to extended one of the nation's highest volunteer honors to a CU executive.

At a ceremony on the tarmac of the San Antonio airport, Bush awarded Randolph-Brooks FCU Vice President of Sales, Operations and Marketing Sonja McDonald the President's Volunteer Service Award for her fundraising prowess and dedication to the cause of aiding injured war veterans. She has worked to raise $217,000 for the Fisher House Foundation as well as contributions to Returning Heroes Home, two organizations aiding wounded Iraqi and Afghanistan vets.

“It was a real thrill for me and my family to meet the President, and I was appreciative of the honor,” said McDonald. McDonald now numbers among 650 volunteers across the U.S. honored by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.

McDonald said she got into volunteer work for military veterans “since I wanted to do something positive for the community while my husband was deployed to Iraq.” Her husband, Jim, a captain in the U.S. Air Force, along with her two young children were on hand for the airport ceremony.

“What a tremendous honor for Ms. McDonald, and, of course, Randolph-Brooks FCU,” commented Dick Ensweiler, president/CEO of the Texas Credit Union League. “I am confident that I speak for the entire credit union community when I say Ms. McDonald is more than deserving of receiving an award of this caliber. The tireless commitment and energy she has devoted to this noteworthy cause is to be applauded. She is indicative of the type of leader we are fortunate to have serving in our movement.”

In January 2006, McDonald spearheaded fundraising to benefit Fisher House of Fort Sam Houston, a national foundation that provides military families a home away from home so they can be near their loved ones during hospitalization for illness or injury. Her goal was to raise $200,000 between Memorial Day and Independence Day 2006. Through a Randolph-Brooks matching program and innovative solicitation, she exceeded that goal.

Apart from Fisher House, McDonald is a director of Returning Heroes Home, which is building a 12,000-square-foot house at Fort Sam Houston due to open in December where military members and their families can learn how to cope with war-related injuries.

“We are indeed proud of Sonja,” said her boss, John Kelly, senior vice president of planning and marketing, who also thanked David Coker, the president/CEO of Fisher House for drawing Sonja's work to the attention of the White House.

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