Cyprus Credit Union, Salt Lake City, awarded $25,000 to the 100% For Kids Credit Union Education Foundation as a way to further promote quality and innovative education in Utah's schools. The foundation provides classroom grants to Utah schools with funds donated by Utah's credit unions. 100% For Kids uses all of the donated funds from Cyprus Credit Union and other credit unions.

St. Mary's Bank, Manchester, N.H., recently gave $1,200 to the YMCA of Greater Nashua to assist in the purchase of a youth-sized elliptical machine for the YMCA's STRIVE Youth Fitness Center. Created in the fall of 2007, the STRIVE Youth Fitness Center was funded by donations from Ronald McDonald House Charities and the HNH Foundation to help the Nashua YMCA address the issue of youth obesity.

Pacific Service Credit Union, Livermore, Calif., donated to Livermore's Open Heart Kitchen, allowing the organization to continue serving needy Tri-Valley citizens. PSCU has donated funds to assist the nonprofit in its efforts to provide hot meals and box lunches to low-income senior citizens, families and children. The funding donated by the credit union will be used for three Open Heart Kitchen meal programs.

Columbia Credit Union, Vancouver, Wash., gave away a 2008 Smart car and made contributions to three local charities in a special ceremony at the Grand Central branch. Three finalists selected from thousands of entries were given keys to potentially start and win the Smart car. Each finalist was also paired with a charity. The winner's charity, Inter-Faith Treasure House, received a $3,000 donation.

Travis Credit Union, Vacaville, Calif., sponsored the Cal Grant presentation at the UC Davis Activities and Recreation Center. Area high school students and faculty were welcomed by Patsy Van Ouwerkerk, president/CEO of the credit union. She reminded the students that financial resources are available to those who desire to attend college.

Providence Health System Federal Credit Union, Portland, Ore., hosted its charitable funds presentation at the Providence Child Center in Portland. A check for $8,000 was presented to Karen Santangelo, the Providence Child Center Foundation's executive director, by members of the credit union. The funds will be used to purchase a gait trainer as well as a sponsorship to Providence's Swindells Center Brown Bag luncheon series in Portland.

Family Trust Federal Credit Union, Rock Hill, S.C., employees donated $20,000 to two local charities in York County. The Tender Hearts Ministry started three years ago as women's shelter and was founded by Ainslee House. The ministry has an on-site shelter that provides food, clothing and a temporary place to stay for women with children.

Ledge Light Federal Credit Union, Groton, Conn., partnered with the eastern chapter of the Credit Union League of Connecticut, donating six cases of nonperishable foods. The donated food went to help feed those less fortunate at the New London Community Meal Center. Both members and nonmembers of the credit union were invited to stop by the main office in Groton of one of the credit union service centers to make a donation.

Connex Credit Union, North Haven, Conn., recently donated $421 to the Pond Hill Elementary Parent Teacher Organization. The organization was formed by parents and teachers to strengthen the Wallingford elementary school. The money for this donation came from the fees collected by a coin-cashing machine in the Connex North Haven branch.