Pioneer Federal Credit Union, Mountain Home, Idaho, has recently joined 180 teams for the 14th Annual Mud Volleyball Tournament benefiting the Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho. PFCU was one of the corporate sponsors for the event. With over 2,000 participants and many more spectators, the event raised over $50,000. Proceeds raised from the event went towards programs that support over 20,000 children, youth and families affected by epilepsy. While PFCU employees had a great time playing in the mud they have also supported other community projects throughout the year including Special Olympics Idaho, The Children’s Miracle Network, The Shrine Circus, and many other local events. American Heritage Federal Credit Union, Philadelphia, Pa., has raised over $15,000 for the Kids-N-Hope Foundation by sliding into 700 gallons of strawberry gelatin. The eighth annual Gelatin Olympics benefits the Kids-N-Hope foundation, a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to helping children receiving specialized care at the Children’s Seashore House of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. In addition to the Ultimate Gelatin Slide, the Gelatin Olympics included the Gelatin Eating Contest and Gelatin Balloon Toss. Prizes were awarded for sliders who raised the most money, had the zaniest costume, ate the most gelatin, and tossed a gelatin balloon farthest. CommonWealth One Federal Credit Union, Harrisonburg, Va., has raised over $80 to benefit the March of Dimes Shenandoah Valley Division. Employees volunteered to enter a dunking tank to raise money. Credit union members paid $1 for three chances to dunk their “favorite” credit union employee. Other special activities during the day included a member appreciation cookout and hourly drawings for Kings Dominion tickets. Local radio station Country KCY broadcasted on location for the duration of the event. North Santiam Community Credit Union, Stayton, Ore., has announced Luke Wells as the Grand Prize winner of the credit union’s two month long SUMMER BONANZA Sweepstakes. As the sweepstakes winner Wells had a choice of seven different prizes from local merchants and selected the $2,000 Salem Center shopping spree since he and his wife recently celebrated the birth of their son Christopher. The SUMMER BONANZA Sweepstakes and related festivities were held in honor of Credit Union’s new branch office in downtown Stayton. In addition to the selection of the Grand Prize winner, the credit union gave away more than $2000 in weekly prizes to participating members. NSCCU also hosted a free community barbeque, which helped raise donations for the Stayton Food Bank. Riverfront Federal Credit Union, Reading, Pa., has recently honored its youth membership during an International Credit Union Youth Week. The annual youth event kicked off with cookies and punch in the lobby. Children were able redeem their Kids’ Club dollars earned throughout the year at the Kids’ Club prize vault. In addition, Riverfront FCU’s young members attended a skating/pizza party at a local family fun center and participated in a craft day to decorate Kids’ Club tote bags. Youth Week 2001 wrapped up with Riverfront’s Annual Youth Day Celebration at the credit union, which included a dunk tank, moon walk, various children’s games, a dog, show, food and prizes. Team One Credit Union, Saginaw, Mich., has raised $18,354.50 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Approximately 70 family, friends and co-workers volunteered for the M.S. Walk. Team One CU was the third largest fundraising team in the entire state of Michigan. Funds raised help support national research, program funding and provide services such as equipment and self-help groups for people with MS and their families. Team One has been participating in the MS walk for over 5 years raising nearly $50,000. Nassau Educators Federal Credit Union, Valley Stream, N.Y., has raised over $20,000 during the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk to benefit the American Cancer Society. The NEFCU team walked five-miles along Jones Beach raising over $15,000, to which the board contributed another $5,000. Funds raised will support scientific research on the causes of breast cancer and ways to prevent it; Reach to Recovery, a one-to-one support program for women with breast cancer; a mammography van; support for legislation on mammography quality standards, insurance coverage; and educational efforts. DuTrac Community Credit Union, Dubuque, Iowa, employees have agreed to donate their time to teaching financial planning education to over 50 area high schools. Through the NEFE High School program students will learn more about the practical application of finance in daily life. The program is intended to supplement coursework for classes already in place. The program is part of a national effort to provide children a solid financial foundation. Educational Employees Credit Union, Bridgeton, Mo., has donated nearly 2,700 school supply items to benefit the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition of Greater St. Louis. The Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition strives to create permanency in a foster child’s life by recruiting and supporting foster/adoptive homes. Rogue Federal Credit Union, Medford, Ore., employees donated their time to serve up a day of food and fun during the Second Annual Neighborhood Block Party. Over 2,500 members and guests dropped by to be entertained by “Gizmo the Clown”, Magician Craig Keith and to dunk local celebrities, businesspeople and government officials in the dunk tank. There was also plenty of food to enjoy including hot dogs, sno-cones, cotton candy, popcorn and rib plates catered by The Four Seasons Restaurant of Medford. Besides animal-shaped balloon friends made by “Gizmo”, children also enjoyed face painting, flower seed planting, a jump castle and hugs given by RFCU’s own Kitty Kat.