DONATIONS

Saugus Federal Credit Union, Saugus, Mass., recently donated $2,200 to the Credit Union of Massachusetts Kids at Heart program, a program coordinated through the Eastern Corporate Federal Credit Union. Over the past 10 years, SFCU and other participants in the Kids at Heart program have raised approximately $2 million for the cause. In addition, SFCU was one of the 53 sponsors of the Kids at Heart program honored by Children’s Hospital Boston during a formal dedication of the hospital’s new family lounge. Gerber Federal Credit Union, Fremont, Mich., participated in the 2006 March of Dimes Walk America and raised $1,486 to help fund the research that saves babies from premature birth. Gerber FCU also donated $200 to host a Spirit Station, a site where walkers can take a rest and get something to eat or drink. Senior management from SELCO Community Credit Union, Eugene, Ore., made a special visit to Devery Stoneburg’s fourth grade classroom at Bertha Holt Elementary School to present new video recording equipment to the school as a gift for allowing SELCO to feature the students and their teacher in its recent television commercial. In addition, the visitors from SELCO played a DVD of outtakes from the video shoot, and gave each student in the classroom a DVD of the commercial to take home to their families as a keepsake. Clearview Federal Credit Union, Moon Township, Pa., participated in a Central Blood Bank blood drive recently. Employees of Clearview’s main office in Pittsburgh donated 18 units of blood to the Central Blood Bank. The Central Blood Bank holds four blood drives a year at Clearview FCU. Security Service Federal Credit Union, San Antonio, awarded 15 scholarships to top Texas and Colorado high school seniors. Each student received $500 as part of the SSFCU scholarship program, which has presented in excess of $98,000 to more than 150 college-bound students in the last 16 years. Students are chosen based on outstanding academic achievement, character and community involvement. Kent County Credit Union, Grand Rapids, Mich., awarded its annual scholarships to Catherine Leiber and Shaynon Munn. Each of the $1,000 scholarships were awarded by the board at the CU’s 50th Annual Meeting. The Robert W. Glover and Edward Blakely Scholarships are awarded to high school seniors who will attend college in the fall, are actively involved with the community and who excel in education. Fiberglas Federal Credit Union, Newark, Ohio, participated in the Licking County Mike Radabaugh Memorial Relay for Life to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The Licking County Relay raised over $87,000 for the special weekend event. The fundraiser required at least one person from each team on the track either walking or jogging at all times during the 24-hour event. Money raised from the Relay goes to cancer research. The California Credit Union League’s Wine Country Chapter, Sonoma County, Calif., partnered with a number of credit union industry business partners to host a bowling tournament event. The disco-themed bowling tournament, dubbed “Thursday Night Fever,” raised $5,000 for the Sonoma County Chapter of the American Red Cross, an organization that provides relief to victims of disasters and prepares people to prevent and respond to emergencies. There were over 100 credit union employees, advocates and business partners in attendance at the event. Ent Federal Credit Union, Teller County, Colo., has pledged $10,000 to support the construction of Pikes Peak Regional Hospital in Teller County, home to one of Ent’s 20 service centers. Landmark Credit Union, New Berlin, Wis., raised $19,029 selling $1 “Links” and $10 “Hearts” during the “Credit Unions for Kids Chain of Hearts” national fundraising campaign that supports the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals throughout the U.S. The total funds raised this year surpassed their 2005 total by nearly $200. Nationwide, credit unions have raised more than $46 million for the Children’s Miracle Network campaign since the program began in 1996. Last year $6.3 million was raised for Children’s Hospitals by credit unions. The Central Massachusetts Chapter of the Massachusetts Credit Union League, Fitchburg, Mass., awarded four college scholarships to area students and recognized them for their outstanding achievement at a recent ceremony. The following students were awarded $1,000 scholarships, Sarah Decato, Kevin McMurray, Daniel Strader, and Matthew Dailey. The Central Massachusetts Chapter and the Massachusetts Credit Union League have awarded academic scholarships to high school seniors for over 10 years. Hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts roared their bikes to life for the 2nd annual Credit Union Cruise for Kids Motorcycle Poker Run benefiting All Children’s Hospital and sponsored by the Tampa Chapter of the Florida Credit Union League, Clearwater, Fla. The ride raised $50,000, more than twice the amount generated by last year’s inaugural Cruise for Kids event. The 800 participants included 290 riders who cruised throughout the Tampa Bay area, stopping at a minimum of three of the 16 credit union branches serving as poker stops. The ride ended at Quaker Steak & Lube, a family-oriented, motorsports-themed restaurant. There, everyone enjoyed an afternoon of entertainment by the local band Jester, a 50/50 raffle; and a Chinese-style raffle for incredible gift baskets. The grand finale was the drawing for a 2006 Tony Cenzi Custom Bobber motorcycle, valued at $25,000. Hanscom Federal Credit Union, Hanscom AFB, Mass., has awarded $6,000 in scholarships to members who will be attending their first year of college in September. Muhamed Hadzipasic, Aaron Hardy, Remi Meehan and Gregory Osborn each were awarded $1,500 to be used for education expenses. Hanscom FCU grants scholarships annually to members planning to attend an accredited institute of higher learning. Scholarships are based on academic record, extracurricular activities and an essay. The scholarships honor John F. Condon, a member of Hanscom FCU board of directors from 1963 to 1989. The United Heritage Credit Union Scholarship Committee, Austin, Texas, has presented the annual $2,500 Leroy Hiller Memorial Scholarship to Halei Young. United Heritage annually awards a $2,500 college scholarship in memory of Mr. Leroy Hiller, former member of the board of directors, who passed away in 1998. Each year, a committee of representatives from United Heritage selects the recipient of the Leroy Hiller Memorial Scholarship. The recipient is a high school senior and is selected based on community service, character and leadership qualities, extracurricular activities, scholastic achievement, essay response and letters of recommendation.