DONATIONS

OCTFCU, Santa Ana, Calif., donated $250,000 to help fund “Biz Kids,” a new half-hour Public Broadcasting System Television series about kids, money and business. The show is a collaborative partnership with Junior Achievement Worldwide and supported by credit unions across the nation. The Emmy Award winning producers of “Bill Nye The Science Guy” will produce the show, which will be fun, offbeat, and educate children about personal finance while showcasing young entrepreneurs. Cabrillo Credit Union, San Diego, sponsored several staff members who participated in the San Diego County Credit Union Multiple Sclerosis Walk. Collectively, Tania Baclian, Kristin Halvin, David Hannah and Jennifer Vega raised over $300 for the cause. The CU recently began supporting staff members in their participation in these charity walks to support the wellness program and to benefit the community it serves. Educational Enrichment Foundation, Tucson, Ariz., recently awarded 10 graduating seniors from the Tucson Unified School District the Tucson Federal Credit Union/Pima Community College Foundation Moving Forward Scholarship. The winners were asked to describe how they overcame hardships in their lives, describe their desire to continue their education and demonstrate a need for financial assistance. Each recipient was awarded a $1,000 scholarship to be used for education expenses at Pima Community College. Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union, Miramar, Fla., recently donated 41 computers, keyboards and monitors to Computer Mentors Group, a Tampa-based nonprofit organization that provides computer literacy training and encourages disadvantaged youth to pursue careers in technology. The CU was also recently awarded with the high school Partner of the Year Award from the Broward County School Board for its volunteer and service work with Everglades High School. West Community Credit Union, O’Fallon, Mo., has awarded scholarships to five high school seniors in the amount of $1,000 each to be used toward college. The students were evaluated based on grade point average and class rank, ACT or SAT college entry exams, curriculum and extracurricular activities, financial need, and personal and school recommendations. This year’s recipients included: Timothy Malecek; Heather Sutton; Kriston Singh; James Keehn; and Kim Glowski. First Financial Federal Credit Union, Lutherville, Md., recently awarded six $5,000 scholarships to honor the outstanding achievements of high school seniors within its field of membership. Funding for the scholarships was made possible through the KidsFirst Fund, First Financial’s Visa Credit Card donation program. Through the program, a portion of member purchases made with the Visa card is donated toward helping children in the CU community. Since the KidsFirst Fund’s inception, First Financial FCU has donated over $1 million, $250,000 of which has been used for scholarships. Northwest Federal Credit Union, Springfield, Ore., raised $3,785 during its weeklong fundraiser for various animal shelters throughout Oregon. As part of NWCU’s annual spring community open house, the credit union donated $5 to local shelters for each member who opened a new account. All 13 NWCU branches participated in the weeklong event, which was held in conjunction with National Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. Many of the branches kicked off the event by hosting adoptable animals from local shelters, which resulted in the adoption of a number of pets.