More than 100 volunteer “elves” from the $25.3 billion StateEmployees' Credit Union came from across North Carolina to assemble“SECU Supports the Troops” gift boxes. The credit union's 245branches began the effort in September by decorating foyers andaccepting donations from SECU members and local community groupsthrough Oct. 31.

Then, on Dec. 1, the volunteers gathered at a SECU operationscenter in Raleigh to assemble the boxes full of travel-sizedtoiletries, first aid items, games, socks and snack for shipment toNational Guardsmen and other North Carolina-based deployedsoldiers.

When the third annual effort was completed, there were 34pallets laden with more than 400 boxes of gifts from home. Alsoincluded were letters from North Carolina schoolchildren thankingthe soldiers for their service, and member contributions alsohelped with shipping costs.