HAR-CO Maryland Federal Credit Union, Bel Air, Md., recently sponsored the Town of Bel Air's annual fireworks display and hosted World Figure Skating Champion Kimmie Meissner and her two guests, both cancer survivors representing the Cool Kids Campaign, in the town's parade. HAR-CO not only hosted Meissner and her guests, but also made a $3,000 donation to the campaign. The Cool Kids Campaign is a new division of the Belanger-Federico-Pitterich Foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life for pediatric oncology patients and their families while they are going through the trauma of a cancer diagnosis and its treatments. Meissner is the Cools Kids Campaign Ambassador. Along with making the donation, HAR-CO will distribute 1,500 of Meissner's "Triumph" bracelets for free (value $2 each) to help launch the Cool Kids Campaign throughout Harford County. Olean Area Federal Credit Union, Olean, N.Y., recently awarded a total of $5,000 in college scholarships to local high school seniors. The students, members of Olean Area FCU, were chosen based on their outstanding academic performance, extracurricular activities and community service and leadership. American 1 Federal Credit Union, Jackson, Mich., recently raised $2,500 for the Jackson School of the Arts through its third annual American 1 Teen Idol competition. The singing competition, featuring 10 teens performing for a $2,000 savings bond and a trip to an "American Idol" audition city, was held at the downtown Jackson Riverwalk Amphitheater. Jessika Baier took home the top prize with Tara Hooey and Maria Woolworth taking second and third places respectively. Gesa Credit Union, Richland, Wash., hosted the American Red Cross for a blood drive at its Richland office recently. The Red Cross brought its mobile unit for the drive, an impressive bus made just for such an event. During the day, 26 people donated including 16 employees and 10 members, far surpassing the CU's goal of 15 donations. The Mt. Diablo Chapter of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues partnered with the Blood Centers of the Pacific recently in the parking lot of Antioch High School. More than 20 volunteers showed up to donate blood. Volunteers consisted of employees, members and vendors of credit unions located in Contra Costa County. Ent Federal Credit Union, Colorado Springs, Colo., was recently honored by the Colorado Springs American Heart Association for being the Top Fundraising Company for the 2006 Heart Walk. Ent raised a total of $38,749 and had 130 employees participate forming 10 teams. Employees raised funds by accepting pledges for walking in the event and through an employee auction. The Heart Walk is the American Heart Association's signature fundraising event. Over one million walkers participated in over 600 Heart Walks throughout the country. Credit Union Central Falls, Smithfield, R.I., recently awarded $10,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors from area high schools. Since the scholarship program started the CU has awarded over $70,000 to area high school and college students. Each recipient received a check for $1,000 and a $25 deposit in a newly opened savings account. The winners are: Marissa Renzi, Kellie Waterman, Kate McCaughey, Jason Carvalho, Bridget Hosney, Carrie Hormanski, Jarod Cournoyer, Stephen Grigelevich, Brittany Hogan, and Lindsay Ferreira. Employees and members of Robins Federal Credit Union, Warner Robins, Ga., recently helped save 93 lives through its annual American Red Cross Blood Drive. A total of 42 people donated, 35 of which were staff. Each good donation (31 total) allows the American Red Cross to save three lives. The blood drive was held at Robins FCU's Jack G. Byrd Jr. Learning Center and was open to anyone who wished to give. As part of the grand opening celebration of its newest branch in the Birmingham area, Mutual Savings Credit Union, Birmingham, Ala., held a drawing for a Carnival Cruise. Alexander Billingsley, who recently joined the credit union, was the recipient of the five days, four nights Carnival Cruise. He will have the choice of four different destination packages. The CU also recently awarded scholarships totaling $20,000. The scholarships varied in amount and were granted due to each student's outstanding academic achievement and leadership roles in their communities. Kayla McCollum received the prestigious William Freeze Scholarship of $5,000. MSCU was also a a corporate sponsor for the recently held Kidfest. The CU hosted a hands-on art project booth. Here children were able to decorate a piggy bank with papier-m?ch?.