DONATIONS

Security Service Federal Credit Union, San Antonio, Texas, employees have donated their time and carpentry skills to a Habitat for Humanity housing project. Twenty-two volunteers braved unusually cold temperatures for the non-profit organization. Washington Credit Union League & Affiliates, Federal Way, has announced that 59 credit unions in Washington State raised $209,278 for the Children's Miracle Network. United Health Services CU based in Spokane raised the most money per member in the state. Because of the employees' efforts, Cynthia Pace of UHSCU will represent Washington during the Miracle Celebration TV event in Orlando, Florida. One of UHSCU's moneymakers involved auto loans. Members who donated $50 to CMN had their loan rate reduced by 1%. In the past six years, credit unions across the country have collectively raised more than $20 million for children. Maine Credit Union League, Westbrook, has raised $9,000 for the Good Shepherd Food Bank during a Spring into Action to Help End Hunger in Maine campaign. The contribution was made to highlight the fact that more than 9% of Maine's population is hungry. The League donated $1,000 for each percentage point of the affected population. Northern Star Credit Union, Portsmouth, Va., has partnered with the Portsmouth Sheriff's office to photograph and fingerprint over 204 children. The project was designed to give parents "peace of mind" should they find themselves in a crisis involving their child. The photograph and fingerprints are given to law enforcement agencies in the event a child becomes missing, or for positive identification in death cases. Chartway Federal Credit Union, Virginia Beach, Va., has raised over $1,200 for the American Cancer Society during a charity auction. Doing his part for charity, CFCU President/CEO Ron Burniske offered his parking space for one month and has treated another winning bidder to lunch at one of downtown Norfolk's best restaurants. Other items available through the auction included: a collectible Elvis lunchbox, a Spa Package and a Nordic Trac exercise machine. The charity auction, on Chartway's Intranet, featured 66 items, with 112 different bidders participating and 635 bids total. Greenville Federal Credit Union, S.C., has helped raise more than $1,400 during a month-long campaign to benefit Children's Miracle Network. GFCU raised the money through the sale of child-safe teddy bears. Members who donated more than $1 or purchased a stuffed bear received an entry for a drawing of large teddy bear. In addition, Greenville FCU and its members donated more than 100 teddy bears to Children's Miracle Network during a recent tour of the children's hospital. Deseret First Credit Union, Salt Lake City, Utah, has raised $4,438 for Washington Elementary School. Members donated a minimum of $10 in exchange for skipping a loan payment. This is the program's third year. Proceeds have been used to buy new textbooks for the school. Washington Elementary is an ethnically diverse school with more than 80 nationalities represented in the student body. The credit union adopted the school three years ago. Dane County Credit Union, Madison, Wis., Vice President of Lending Jon Lowrey has shaved off his 29-year mustache for charity. Spurred on by Lowrey's challenge that he would shave after $500 was raised for the Children's Miracle Network, DCCU employees managed to raised $2,700. CMN funds education, medical programs and specialized equipment for children regardless of their ability to pay. Tri-Lakes Federal Credit Union, has raised funds to benefit the Saranac Lakes Adult Center. Proceeds from the Saranac Lake Senior Citizen's Fund went toward purchasing a handicapped-accessible bus for seniors. Funds were raised via candy sales, raffles, dress-down days, and letter-writing campaigns.