The $138.7 million, Pioneer West Virginia Federal Credit Unionof Charleston, W.V. placed a special emphasis on giving back to its community in 2011.

Thanks to donations from members, employees and local residents,the credit union gave more than $1,500 worth of goods, includingtoys, crafts and games, to the Children's Home Society of WestVirginia just in time for Christmas, the CU announced.

The donated items went directly to the Children's Home Societyof West Virginia's Davis House, an emergency shelter for kidsbetween the ages of 12 and 18 who have been removed from theirhomes.

“We were happy to be able to do something for a non-profitorganization with such a worthy cause,” said Shannon Bradley, vicepresident of Member Services for Pioneer West Virginia FCU. “I was fortunate enough to get to goin person and deliver the items myself along with other staffmembers. The Davis House is a truly wonderful place that benefitsour community and our children, and it's important to remember themall year long and not just during the holidays.”

Aside from making donations to the Davis House, the credit unionpresented hundreds of dollars worth of canned foods to its localUnion Mission and held events such as coat drives and charity walksthroughout the year, the CU said.

“We know it's the people of this community that keeps our creditunion healthy and successful and we never lose sight of that,”Bradley said. “As a non-profit organization, we always strive tohelp out in any way we can and the philosophy of 'people helpingpeople' runs deep in the walls of our credit union.”