WESTBROOK, Me. – Maine credit unions have wrapped up a month-long Hurricane Katrina fundraising effort with almost $55,000. The Maine Credit Unions' Helping Those In Need – A Fund for Hurricane Victims campaign presented the donation to National Credit Union Foundation's (NCUF) Disaster Relief Fund, a fund that is providing money for food, shelter and other emergency needs to those impacted by Hurricane Katrina. "It is appropriate that the final figures are released during Credit Union Week because the cooperative nature of this fundraising effort embodies everything that Maine's credit unions are all about. When you consider how many other fundraising efforts associated with Hurricane Katrina relief, the fact that credit unions and members contributed nearly $55,000 is a testament to the generosity of Maine people," said Jon Paradise, governmental & public affairs manager of the Maine CU League. "Credit unions are based on the philosophy of `people helping people' and this is a true example of our mission," he added. Paradise added that NCUF's ability to work directly with the credit union movements in each affected state insures that the funds will be distributed to those who need it most.