BURNSVILLE, Minn. — Inspired by the popular game show Deal or No Deal, US Federal Credit Union kicked off its 2006 Combined Federal Campaign with a "Meal or No Meal" fundraiser.

The Combined Federal Campaign is a national effort among federal organizations allowing their employees to make charitable contributions via payroll deduction. Participants can select from hundreds of endorsed charities of regional, national, or international scope. Employees are eligible to win a free all-staff lunch if the credit union exceeds its donation goal of $12,500. During an all-staff meeting host Howie MartKell (US Federal Vice President of Marketing Marty Kelly, wearing a skin-wig) showcased various ways to donate by asking his marketing team to open numbered pizza boxes. Instead of a sinister banker character, "Meal or No Meal" features a benevolent "Credit Union Guy" (US Federal Director of Operations David Tolle) who sat hidden behind a shower curtain at the staff meeting, phoning-in added incentives for employee participation.

The month-long fundraising events include a kick-off breakfast, jeans days, and USFCU-matching donations. In addition, the credit union paid another game show homage by encouraging staff to play The Match Game where contestants must pair various employees with "little known facts" of their past.