PLANO, Texas - Community Credit Union staffers have hockey fever. The $1.6 billion credit union is now the National Hockey League's Dallas Stars' official credit union. According to Communication Event Specialist Kim Miklis, after a two-month search for a team sponsorship the Dallas Stars proved to be the best fit. One of the reasons includes the team's commitment to the community by being actively involved in several charitable events. Through the Dallas Stars Foundation, grants are provided to children's charities, youth hockey programs for at-risk children as well as educational programs and support. To kick off its new status and hype up the new hockey season credit union staffers celebrated Stars Spirit Day sporting Dallas Stars gear, decorating branches with hockey sticks and pucks and hosting lunchtime "tailgate" parties complete with hot dogs and nachos. Some branches also sponsored Ticket Giveaway Contests for members and each employee's name was entered in a drawing for Stars-related prizes, including a jersey signed by the whole team. As part of the deal with the Stanley Cup winning team, CCU advertisements will be displayed on fixed and electronic signage in the Stares home arena-the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The CCU brand will also appear in each home game program, on outdoor billboards and dasher boards at the Stars practice facility in Frisco, Texas, in the Stars official yearbook, and in the official fan newsletter Boards and Blades. CCU commercials will also air during live radio broadcasts of all Stars Games. In addition, CCU ATMs will be placed in each of the six Dr. Pepper StarCenters throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. According to Miklis the sponsorship is good for two seasons, until 2005, and the credit union has plans to make the most of it during such credit union sponsored events as the Wildflower Festival, Plano Balloon Festival, Addison Octoberfest and next month's Santa's Village event. [email protected]