WESTBROOK, Me. – The Maine Credit Union League has kicked off National Volunteer Week with news that its two-year old volunteer program Credit Unions Share for ME had a 24% increase in volunteer hours. Over 1,442 credit union volunteers logged some 15,096 hours in 2003, which based on figures from the Points of Light Foundation equals a $259,500 value. According to the Maine CUL, CUs Share for ME is one of the only volunteer programs of its kind in the nation as far as its scope and mission. Annually, credit union representatives are active in a variety of community-related events including school activities, blood drives and youth athletics averaging 1,258 hours volunteered per month . "We are thrilled at the level of commitment and dedication that Maine's credit unions have towards giving back to the communities they serve," said Maine CUL Governmental and Public Affairs Manager Jon Paradise. "We hope this program will increase awareness of how active credit unions, their staff and directors are as an entire movement while encouraging new volunteer opportunities."